84 Miss L. Gardiner—Milestones towards the Plumage Bill


1908. Bill to prohibit the importation of the plumage of wild birds

into Great Britain drafted by the R.S.P.B., with the support of

representatives of the British Museum (Natural History), Royal

Society, Linnean Society, Zoological Society of London, Selborne

Society, and Mr. Janies Buckland. Introduced into the House

of Lords by Lord Avebury, May 5. Considered by a Select

Committee, which heard evidence from twenty-one witnesses

for and against. Passed with strengthening amendments,

July 21. Introduced into House of Commons by Lord Robert

Cecil, and read a first time, July 22. End of session prevented

further progress.


Story of “ moulted plumes ” revived by the trade in a

letter signed “ Leon Laglaize ” ; complete refutation by

naturalists published by the R.S.P.B.


Exportation prohibited from British New Guinea of skins

and feathers of Birds-of-Paradise and Crowned Pigeons.


1909. Bills to prohibit the importation into Great Britain of the

feathers of certain birds, introduced by Sir William Anson and

by Mr. Ramsay Macdonald. Blocked.


Pictures of “ The Story of the Egret ” published and

exhibited by the R.S.P.B.


1910. International Ornithological Congress passes a resolution

affirming the necessity for laws prohibiting the importation of

plumage into European countries.


Appointment by the Colonial Secretary (the Earl of Crewe)

of a Committee to consider the best means of preventing the

slaughter of birds by plume-hunters throughout the British

Empire.


Editions of “ The Story of the Egret ” published in France,

Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, and Italy. Bill to prohibit

the sale of the plumage of certain birds brought in by Mr. Percy

Alden. Blocked.


1911. Importation and exportation of the skins and jdumage, raw or

manufactured, of scheduled birds, prohibited in the Common¬

wealth of Australia. (The scheduled birds include the principal

birds used by the plume-trade.)



