THE GEALLATORES (WADERS) AND NATATORES (SWIMMING 

 BIRDS) OF THE ESTUARY OF THE TAY. 



In the remarks I am about to make to you this evening on the 

 Waders and Swimming Birds of the Estuary of the Tay, their great 

 decrease, and the causes of the same, it will be necessary for me to go 

 somewhat furtlier than our own immediate neighbourhood on the Tay, 

 and bring before you some instances of the cruel and wanton destruction 

 which went on all along our coasts during the breeding season some 

 few years ago, causing the interference of the Legislature, and no doubt 

 in a measure influencing our own particular district. This, again, will 

 lead me to make some comments on Bird protection, and the alleged 

 injury said to be done in consequence to our Fisheries — one of the 

 questions of the hour. In the year 1868 the slaughter of Sea Birds 

 was found to be so great that it ended in the passing in the following 

 year of " The Sea Birds' Protection Act," and subsequently the passing 

 of two other Acts, for the better preservation of our Waders and Land 

 Birds not included in the first Act, entitled respectively the " Wild 

 Fowl," and the " Wild Birds' Protection Acts." These several Acts, 

 all very confusing, have during the last session very wisely been 

 amalgamated and amended, under the title of the " Wild Birds' Protec- 

 tion Amended Act, 1880," a law which I trust, though it may have its 

 defects, all lovers of natural objects, especially of our birds, in which 

 such Societies as our Natural History Societies stand conspicuous — and 

 I believe I am safe in saying none more so than the Society I am now 

 addi-essing — will unanimously support. It is, therefore, with a feeling of 

 confidence that I look forward to the Naturalists of Dundee joining 

 with the Naturalists of Banff, wh(3 I am happy to say have talcen tlio 

 initiative in advocating protection. It is the more especially necessary 

 at a time like this that eflbrts should be made by all Natural History 

 Societies to unite in the defence of our birds, wljen, as I regret to say, 

 so strong a feeling — I may almost call it of prejudice — jjrevails against all 

 protection, especially with regard to our Sea Birds, as seems to lie tlic 

 case, when we see in the public prints the name of one of H.M. Com- 

 missioners ou the Scottish Salmon Fisheries, Mr Henry Gordon 



