Bird Protection in Italy as It Impresses the Italian 197 



of this |)a|)cT. M\- aim has ht-cii to ,L!;ivc' tht' view of the <i(hfr sick-. Jiut, \vc must 

 ask, Are Salvadori, and Hcrk'si' and ia\o, who Noict' ihcir iipinions, and the others 

 of their school ri,<:;lit in considcrini^r l,i,-(l proteetion as a (|ucsti()n of such grave 

 douljt that they will not lift a linger to stay the slaughter? I believe that the 

 Italians are right in some of their minor j)remises, but wrong in their general con- 

 clusion. So far as argument goes, it can be shown upon the broad general facts of 

 biology that indiscriminate slaughter of the birds is very unwise. If birds are 

 indiscriminates layers of insects, which is admitted on all sides, how much greater 

 is the evil for man to become the indiscriminate slaughterer of the birds ? 



On the practical side, we are putting the question to a test in this country, 

 where, thanks to the ornithologists and bird-lovers, and to the elaborate analyses of 

 the food of birds made by the National Government, we are beginning to pursue 

 a very general and uniform policy of protecting at all times as many of our wild 

 birds as possible — a policy quite the reverse of that favored in Italy. If the other 

 factors in the case can be equalized, time should soon show who is right and who is 

 wrong. 



It is ditificult to prescribe for the patient who will insist that he has no ailment, 

 but, nevertheless, we believe that a great reform is needed in Italy, in checking 

 what we consider the insane and shameful slaughter of the song birds of Europe, 

 during the migratory periods especially; but this reform must come from the Ital- 

 ians themselves. Possibly, foreigners can do something to favor the movement: at 

 all events, it is for the interests of the other nations of Europe, and of Germany and 

 France in particular, to see that this cause does not languish. From all accounts, a 

 similar reform is needed in southern France and in Spain. 



At some future time another international congress will be called to discuss 

 anew the subject of bird protection, and to draft a uniform code of laws governing 

 the destruction of migratory birds in all the countries through which they pass. 

 An international court of arbitration should then be formed before whom, 

 when necessary, every question in dispute can be brought, and, let us hope, 

 settled, at appropriate times. 



