XXIV PROCEEDINGS, 



I. — That the following; wild birds are seriously diminishing in number and are 

 in danger of extermination, viz. : — 



Kightjar, Stone Curlew, Honey Buzzard, 



Woodpeckers, Grebes, Hobby, 



Kingfisher, Crossbill, Merlin, 



Owls, Buzzard, Kestrel. 



II. — That all these birds, except the Kingfisher, the Grebes, and the Crossbill, 

 feed on animals (chiefly insects and the smaller Mammalia) injiu'ious to agri- 

 culture or fruit crops, and are therefore beneficial to man. 



III. — That the Kingfisher and the Large Crested Grebe are killed for the sake 

 of their plumage, and therefore require special protection, the latter having 

 become so scarce that it now only breeds in the County on the Tring Eeservoirs. 



lY. — That the Crossbill is one of the most interesting birds in the British 

 Fauna, its beak being rmique in form and structure, and although it seldom 

 breeds in Britain, it is recorded to have bred in Hertfordshire, and there is reason 

 to believe that it may again do so if unmolested. 



v. — That although the killing or taking of the Nightjar, Woodpeckers, King- 

 fisher, Owls, Stone Curlew, and Grebes, between the 1st of March and the 1st 

 of August is penalized by the "AYild Birds Protection Act of 1880," and this 

 period has been altered in the County of Hertford to begin on the 1st of February 

 and end on the 31st of August, yet the preservation of these birds, as well as 

 of the others named, cannot be secured so long as their eggs can be taken or 

 destroyed ■with impunity. 



VI. — That as scarcely any birds breed in Hertfordshire before the middle of 

 Febi'uary, the object sought by the extension of the close -time would be 

 sufiiciently well attained if it were to commence on the 15th of February instead 

 of on the 1st. 



Your Memorialists therefore pray— 



1st. — That you will, in accordance with the "Wild Birds Protection Act 

 of 1894," 



(rt) Apply to a Secretary of State to prohibit in the County of Hertford 

 the taking or destroying of the eggs of all the above-named birds. 



(b) Represent to a Secretary of State the desirability of applpng the 

 principle of the "Wild Birds Protection Act of 1880" to the Crossbill, 

 Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, Hobby, Merlin, and Kestrel. 

 2nd. — That should you reduce the duration of the close-time, it be not made 

 to commence later than the 15th of February. 



And your Memorialists will ever pray, etc. 



Signed on behalf of the \ Henry Seebohm, 

 Hertfordshire Natural I President. 



History Society and /• F. M. Campbell, 

 Field Club, 23rd April, j John Hopkinson, 

 1895. / Honorary Secretaries. 



Appendix B. The Order. 



HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. 



"Wild Birds Protection Act, 1880." 

 "Wild Birds Protection Act, 1894." 



Order of Home Secretary, («) varying the Close Time, {h) adding certain Birds 

 to the Schedule of the Act of 1880, and {c) prohibiting the taking or 

 destroying the Eggs of certain Wild Birds. 

 In pursuance of the powers conferred on me by the ' ' Wild Birds Protection 



Act, 1880," and the " Wild Birds Protection Act, 1894," and upon application 



