Bird Notes and News 



101 



191 1 . Proclamation Prohibiting the Importa- 

 tion of the skins and plumage, raw 

 or manufactured, of scheduled birds 

 into the Commonwealth of Australia. 

 (The schedule includes the chief birds 

 used by the plume-trade). Exporta- 

 tion of skins and plumage of scheduled 

 birds also prohibited. 



"Feathers and Facts," published by 

 the R.S.P.B. for the purpose of 

 refuting trade statements by a recapi- 

 tulation of proved facts. 

 New York State law comes into force 

 prohibiting the sale of birds protected 

 in the State or those of the same 

 families wherever killed. (Similar laws 

 have since been adopted by twelve 

 other States.) 



Anti-Plumage League started in Ger- 

 many by Professor Schillings. 

 Announcement made on the eve of 

 Queen Mary's visit to India that Her 

 Majesty " who has never worn a real 

 aigrette, has read letters referring to 

 the subject of the protection of the 

 bird from w'hich this is obtained, 

 and has given special instructions 

 that nothing of the kind must be 

 employed in her millinery." 

 Mr. Alden again introduces his Bill 

 in the House of Commons. First 

 reading carried by 326 to 48. 

 Blocked. 



1912. Ligue Frangaise pour la Protection 

 des Oiseaux started by the Societe 

 d'Acclimatation de France. 



Sir Harry Johnston urges in The 

 Times the extreme importance to 

 man of the protection of insect- 

 eating birds now destroyed by the 

 plume-trade. 



Mr. Alden's Bill reintroduced. With- 

 drawn. 



Bill introduced by Mr. Alden to 

 prohibit the sale of the plumage of 

 any species of wild bird, individuals 

 of which have their habitat in any 

 part of Greater Britain. Blocked. 

 1913. Earl Curzon of Kedleston and Sir 

 Harry Jolmston speak on the feather- 

 trade and its ravages at the annual 

 meeting of the R.S.P.B. ("It is an 

 appalling traffic, and I am not aware 

 of a good word to be said for it." 

 — ^Lord Curzon.) 



Bill introduced by Mr. Page Croft, of 

 same purport as Mr. Alden's second 

 BUI of 1912. 



Cabinet Committee formed to con- 

 sider legislation on the plumage 

 question. 



" Committee for the Economic Preser- 

 vation of Birds " formed for the 

 purpose of delaying and impeding 

 legislation dealing with the plume- 

 trade. 



Government Bill introduced by Mr. 

 Hobhouse (Duchy of Cornwall) pro- 

 hibiting the importation into Great 

 Britain of the plumage of all wild 

 birds except those scheduled (Ostriches 

 and Eider-ducks), natural history and 

 educational specimens, plumage form- 

 ing part of the wearing apparel of 

 persons entering the United Elingdom, 

 and plumage of birds imported as 

 articles of diet ; also prohibiting the 

 sale of plumage unlawfully imported. 



Clause in the Tariff Bill of the United States 

 adopted by the Senate totally prohibiting the 

 importation of all skins and plumage of wild 

 birds, either raw or manufactured, into the 

 United States. 



