15 



BULGARIA AND MONTENEGRO. 



In the Principality — or perhaps we should say Kingdom — of 

 Bulgaria there are no laws on the subject of bird-protection and 

 birds of all kinds are shot, trapped and eaten in large numbers ; 

 nor are there any protective laws in the PrincipaHty of Montenegro. 



TURKEY. 



In Turkey there is practically no protection of birds ; and the 

 laws on the subject, such as they are, are treated with but scant 

 respect. It is true that a hcense to shoot is necessary, and the 

 trapping and snaring of small birds, other than the Quail, is 

 prohibited. But those who break the law are rarely interfered 

 with. In the neighbourhood of the to\vns birds of all kinds 

 are shot and caught for food in large numbers, and the practice 

 seems to be increasing ; while in the country districts shooting 

 and catching are mainly practised by professional hunters. 



Even in the close season, which extends from the middle of 

 March to the middle of August, game birds can generally be bought 

 in the open market. 



The Turk is said to regard the man who liberates a captive 

 bird as virtuous, though he does not hold the converse view 

 and consider it wrong to rob a bird of its liberty. 



GREECE. 



The state of affairs is no better in Greece. There are various 

 game laws, but these are not observed. Outside the large towns 

 nearly every man has his gun ; the hcense to carry firearms 

 costs, roughly, three shiUings and eight pence, but few trouble 

 to pay for a license, and nobody enforces the law, which is openly 

 disregarded. Birds of all kinds are regularly destroyed, and 

 most of them find their way into the native dish of " pilaff." 

 There is also a good deal of trapping in addition to the ceaseless 

 shooting, the clapnet being in common use. This is aU the more 

 disappointing as Greece was a party to the Convention of Paris. 

 An attempt was indeed made to make the recommendations of 

 the Convention law, but the measure met with such spirited 

 opposition in the Legislative Assembly that it was eventually 

 withdrawn by the Government. 



ITALY. 



Of the kingdoms of Europe it only remains for us to consider 

 the position in Italy. This country has always been the stumbling 

 block in the way of any effectual protection of useful birds on the 

 Continent. Her position on a great highway of migration gives 



