INTRODUCTION. TI 



An Act in 1908 made the capture of any bird by means of a 

 hook or other instrument illegal. 



The "invasion" by the Sand-Grouse in 1888, when large 

 numbers of these interesting birds appeared in Britain and 

 attempted to colonise, was the reason for the special Sand- 

 Grouse Act, 1888, but as it did not come into force until 

 Febuary, 1889, it failed to achieve its purpose. The birds which 

 it was hoped would establish themselves were ruthlessly shot 

 down and their eggs taken before anything could legally be 

 done to protect them. 



Although this twenty-eight years' honestly intentioned legisla- 

 tion accomplished much, so much indeed that certain species 

 increased alarmingly until many County Councils took fright 

 and struck too abundant birds out of their lists, destruction of 

 rare and useful birds was not really checked. Compared with 

 the frequency of offences against the law, the number of convic- 

 tions and penalties was lamentably small. This was realised 

 by all true ornithologists, and in 1913 and the early months 

 of 19 14 a committee of experts inquired into the working of the 

 various Acts and Orders to consider if they could be simplified 

 and made effective. Evidence from various sources, from those 

 whose interests were purely scientific, humane, commercial or 

 administrative, was heard, and Mr. Montagu Sharpe drafted 

 a new Bill, but the war prevented immediate action, and it 

 was not until 1919 that the minutes and suggestions were 

 published. 



It was found that the complications of the various Acts and 

 Orders made it practically impossible for the police to prevent 

 offences. Regulations in one area were inoperative in another, 

 and this was particularly the case in and around the County 

 Boroughs, where the scarcity of birds was used as an excuse for 

 saving the few pounds that would have to be expended in 

 advertisement. The Committee discovered what the police had 

 known for years, that the right of search, allowable under the 



