INTRODUCTION. 9 



birds were protected within territorial waters, but it was, 

 naturally, difficult to prove that the offence had not been 

 committed on the " high sea." The Island of St. Kilda, where 

 the inhabitants mainly depend upon the flesh, oil and feathers 

 of sea-fowl, was excepted from operation of the Act. 



In less than a year so many debatable questions had arisen 

 that it was deemed necessary to provide another Act "to 

 explain the Wild Birds Protection Act, 1880." Injustice or 

 imagined injustice to poultry dealers and vendors of caged 

 birds, both of whom imported foreign birds, was the main 

 reason of the explanation. Points cropped up about the 

 exposure of dead or living birds which had been killed or 

 caught within reasonable time before the close season and 

 which, if not exposed for sale, would have entailed loss. The 

 Lark was added to the list of specially protected birds. Further, 

 powers were granted to the county authorities to make appli- 

 cation for addition of any specified bird or birds to the 

 schedule. 



As the years passed, except for some interesting work for the 

 lawyers, no striking results were evident, and in 1894 the County 

 Councils were permitted and even urged to apply for Orders to 

 prevent the taking or destroying of eggs as well as birds, the 

 species and area in which they were to be protected to be 

 specified. These specified areas might be set aside as "re- 

 serves " or sanctuaries for all birds. Additional powers were 

 granted to the County Councils in 1896, and the Acts were 

 grouped as the Wild Birds Protection Acts, 1880 to 1896. 



In a few counties the reserves proved invaluable, but in 

 others there was considerable opposition from the owners of 

 sporting rights, and those councillors who were really anxious 

 to protect birds were forced to accept as proclaimed areas 

 localities where few if any birds nested. Great difference of 

 opinion existed about the value of certain species — notably of 

 the various Owls and the Kestrel, and etTorts were made to 



