54 The Oologists Record, September 1, 1923. 



species. Moreover, the taxidermist and his alhes will naturally 

 set themselves out to seek for more specimens of certain of these 

 species, particularly if debarred from deahng with the birds placed 

 in Category I. 



As for the Categories, space does not allow one to go fully into 

 details, but I am surprised to see it was not deemed worthy to 

 place the Ruff and Reeve in Category I. I should also have thought 

 that the Cirl Bunting and Woodlark might also be placed there. 



Why not place the Blue-headed Wagtail, Nightjar and Wryneck 

 in Category II ? 



It is presumed that Snipe means Common Snipe, but the Bill 

 does not say so. This definition would appear to be necessary because 

 many Jack Snipe are here imtil after the close season commences. 



These are only a few examples, but they might be multiplied. 



The Bill has been amended during its progress through the Lords 

 by the end of the close season for birds in Category II being put back 

 from August the 31st to July the 31st. 



Desirable as it was for Category II in the original Bill to be 

 divided into classes, there would now seem to be even greater 

 reasons for so doing. In order to continue the legitimate shooting 

 in August of Wild Duck and other birds ordinarily used for food, 

 it does not seem fair to allow a Kingfisher to be shot during that 

 month, and therefore a division of the birds in Category II. might 

 take place on the following lines : — 



Class A. — To include such birds as Wild Duck, Common 



Snipe, etc. 

 Class B. — To include such birds as the Goldfinch, Kingfisher, 



etc. 



This brings me to the point at which it would be necessary to 

 show that July 31st is an unfair date to fix as the end of the close 

 season for those birds which would be placed in Class B. Surely 

 September the 30th would be a much safer date. What is the object 

 of protecting a scarce bird like the Dotterel on the 31st of July 

 and allowing it to be shot on the 1st August ? Many species of 

 birds, especially the late broods, are still about in August and 

 September, and the extension of the close period by two months 

 would enable them to get away. If July 31st is to be the date 

 why not add to the list of birds in Category I. 



