GUINEA FOWL 81 



Before closing our chapter on the friends of the agri- 

 culturist, a few remarks on the protection of birds might 

 not be out of place. Some— the Locust-birds proper — 

 should be absolutely protected by law, but as regards the 

 Guinea fowl, Francolin and Bustards, the question is a 

 more difficult one. Some enthusiasts would suggest that 

 these birds be also placed under the above enactment, but 

 what about the " Sportsman " ? He will surely protest 

 most vehemently against such an action, and with reason. 



We think that a compromise might be a rational solution 

 of the difficulty, viz. that although these birds may be shot 

 for sport, they should not be allowed for purposes of barter. 

 They should be prohibited from the stock-in-trade of the 

 game shops. This would in a great measure stem the tide 

 of destruction, as no true sportsman would butcher birds 

 he knew were of distinct economic value, and the few — in 

 comparison — shot merely for sport would not make any 

 appreciable difference. 



Legislation is no doubt necessary, but to make it thoroughly 

 satisfactory and workable the public must be educated up 

 to a knowledge of the usefulness of our little feathered 

 friends. 



[Since these lines were penned some years ago, the 

 Bustards, Coursers, Lapwings, and Thick-knees have been 

 entirely protected by law on account of their utility to 

 agriculture.] 



