Utility and Economy of Birds 
a 
scattered nesting-places of such species as 
Coots, MOORHENS, MALLARD, and even scarce 
Ducks prohibited any idea of taking their 
eggs on anything like a commercial basis. 
We were told that PHEASANTS’ eggs were 
eaten by the Royal Family, while at Windsor 
in 1916, instead of PLOvVERS’ eggs (Datly'Mazl, 
8.v.16), and these latter, being regarded as 
absolute luxuries, found but few buyers in 
the shops at 8d. instead of the pre-war 2s. 6d. 
apiece. 
Early in 1918 the newspapers again re- 
sounded the cry, urging the collection of SEA- 
GULLS’, GUILLEMOTS’, and PUFFINS’ eggs 
(Daily Mail, 25.i1.18). On February 22nd 
the Board of Agriculture for Scotland issued 
a circular suggesting the taking of the eggs 
of the BLACK-BACKED, LESSER BLACK- 
BACKED, HERRING, and COMMON GULLS for 
food, but advised that the BLACK-HEADED 
GULL, in view of its predominating insec- 
tivorous diet, should not be molested. With- 
in six weeks, however, the restriction regard- 
ing the collection of the eggs of the last- 
named species was removed. In May 1918 
62 
