Utility and Economy of Birds 
PHEASANTS were fetching as high as a guinea 
apiece in the retail shops. 
In March 1918 the Board of Agriculture 
for Scotland authorised WILD GEESE to be 
killed and sold up to the 31st of the month 
in many counties: by no means a bad war 
measure, but one which would hardly find 
favour with the bird-lover in time of peace 
(Dumfries and Galloway Standard, 9.i.18). 
On March 27th, 1918, the Ministry of Food 
outlined a scheme for obtaining as large a 
supply as possible of GAME, WILDFOWL, and 
rabbits during the ensuing season (Globe, 
27.ii1.18), Under the rationing restrictions, 
rules were laid down as regards the amount 
of GAME or POULTRY which might be eaten. 
Special concessions were, in April 1918, made 
to those persons, including their families and 
dependents, who reared Pouttry. In the 
case of GAME, the host, also his gamekeepers 
and guests, were entitled to take the GAME 
at a reduced rate of coupons (Daily Mail, 
Ir.iv.18). As the result of a conference 
with the salesmen at Smithfield and 
Leadenhall Markets, the Food Controller, in 
54 
