Vol. III. 

 1903 



Stray Feathers. I I 7 



Bird Protection in Great Britain. — When a journal of such 

 standing as The Times devotes a leading article to this subject, 

 and opens its columns to correspondence in aid of the good cause, 

 one recognizes that the movement in its favour has at least 

 influential support. Whilst advocating our case, and saying that 

 " What is needed is that which may in some degree be brought 

 about by a society seeking to disseminate a wholesome, unaffected 

 love of nature, and a reverence for things now really in danger," 

 The Times writer condemns, perhaps too whole-heartedly, the 

 bird-catcher. " With us, and indeed everywhere, he is generally 

 a skulking loafer, whose tricks are of the meanest order. 

 He is cruel, ignorant, idle, and a pest." The demands of " murder- 

 ous millinery " and " fashion," it is pointed out, will continue 

 until a knowledge of nature comes — not necessarily scientific, 

 but " taken in without effort, never forgotten, and forbidding 

 waste and desecration of the best things around one." The 

 " deformed thief " of Shakespeare is certainly the bird-lovers' 

 greatest enemy. Can we not enlist more ladies in our cause ? 

 Bearing in mind what they have done in the United States, 

 might it not be worth the while of the Aust. O.U. to admit them 

 at a nominal subscription ? It needs their aid. 



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Amendments — W.A. Column — Schedule of Close Seasons 

 {Emu vol. ii., p. 190). — Finches are protected for whole year. 

 Doves are protected for whole year. Wild Duck, 1st July to 

 23rd December, except Kimberley. 



Mr. H. E. Hill (Guildford) has kindly furnished me with a copy 

 of the following proclamations of Game Reserves for birds : — 

 Portions of Swan River, as follows : — From the Midland Railway 

 Bridge (Upper Swan) over said river, downwards to its mouth 

 and to the extreme western end of the breakwater at Fremantle ; 

 to include Perth and Melville Waters and Freshwater Bay ; 

 proclaimed 3/8/98. Portions of the Helena River, as follows : — 

 From the Canning Jarrah Timber Company's Railway Bridge, 

 over Helena River, downwards to its junction with the Swan 

 River ; proclaimed 3/8/98. The Vasse River and Estuary, 

 within the boundaries of the municipality; proclaimed 6/2/01. 

 The Leschenault Estuary, from its head to its entrance into the 

 sea at Bunbury ; proclaimed 31/7/95. Monger's Lake and 

 Herdsman's Lake, near Leederville ; proclaimed respectively 

 3/1/01 and 15/2/02. TheAbrolhos Islands, proclaimed 26/5/98 ; 

 and the Pelican Island, in Shark Bay, proclaimed 15/3/00. — 

 A. J. Campbell. 



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Kolora (Vict.) Notes.— As late as 20th January a Swamp- 

 Hawk's {Circus gouldi) nest was found here, with three young 

 ones just getting feathered, and on the 7th of the same month 

 I discovered a Ground-Lark (Anthus australis) sitting on three 

 eggs. The little White-eyes (Zosterops) and Firetails (Finches) 

 made their appearance together this year during the first week 



