1922.] Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 601 



The position of the Uuiou in regard to protection and 

 conservation of bird-life has been the subject of discussion 

 by tlie Committee of the Union on several occasions recently. 



The Committee desire to appeal to all members of the 

 Union to assist tliem in carrying out the principles laid 

 ■down in the letter as printed above, and they ask all col- 

 lectors, either of bird-skins or birds^ eggs, to refrain from 

 collecting long series of rare species, the amassing of which 

 may contribute to the extinction of those species as British 

 Birds. The Committee also desire to protest most strongly 

 against the custom of some collectors of bribing keepers and 

 other employees of landowners to procure for tliem rare birds 

 and eggs. Such conduct can only bring the Union into 

 disrepute. 



Many members of the Union have urged the Committee 

 to take action against members who have, or are said to iiave, 

 committed offences dealt with under Rule 8 of the Union. 

 As, however, the Committee have to act as judge and jury 

 in such cases and to decide on the evidence whether the 

 offence has been committed or not, it does not appear to 

 be possible for the Committee as a body to take action, 

 although there is nothing to prevent any individual member 

 •of the Committee from so doing. The whole procedure in 

 regard to such cases is laid down in Rule 8^ and any 

 accusation against a member made under that rule should 

 be addressed to tlie Honorary Secretary, who will place it 

 before the Committee at tiie earliest moment. 



For the convenience of Members who have not a copy of 

 the rules by them, Rule 8 is reprinted here as follows : — 



If, in the opinion of the Committee, any Member shall 

 have acted in a manner injurious to the interests or good 

 name of the Union, or his Membership shall have become 

 undesirable, or he shall have personally assisted m or con- 

 nived at the capture or destruction of any bird, nest, or 

 egg in the British Isles, by purchase or otherwise, likely, 

 in the opinion of the Committee, to lead to the exter- 

 miiuition or serious diminution of that species as a British 

 bird, the Secretary shall be directed to send, whenever 



SER. XI. VOL. IV. 2 R 



