60 



In revising and consolidating our laws we would suggest 

 amendment of the Act of 1880, so as to make it an offence to 

 take or kill wild birds in the close season ; abolition, or at any 

 rate definition, of the " recently taken " puzzle ; extension of 

 Sect. 3 of the Act so as to make it cover possession not only of 

 any wild bird illegally taken but possession of the skin or plumage 

 of any such bird, and also extension of the Act of 1894 to cover 

 possession of eggs which have been illegally taken ; prohibition 

 of any deahngs for profit in unscheduled birds which have been 

 killed or taken by owners or occupiers of land or their agents 

 during the close season ; provision for the granting of permits 

 under most stringent and limited conditions to the bona fide 

 collector for museums or definite scientific objects ; and thorough 

 investigation, and where necessary drastic revision, by a central 

 expert authority of the numerous existing Protection Orders. 

 We would further advocate a large increase of the maximum 

 fines and the additional penalty of imprisonment without the 

 option of a fine in the event of a second or a flagrant offence. 

 Such a revision of our laws on the subject would, we beheve, 

 accompHsh as much as can be at present expected for the reason- 

 able protection of birds. 



We must not, however, lose sight of the fact that in our present 

 state of crass ignorance the stricter enforcement of our existing 

 laws is quite as important as their alteration or revision. This 

 being so, a considerable number of trained officials might with 

 advantage be appointed to enforce observance of the law and 

 to assist those private individuals and societies upon whom this 

 burden has hitherto so largely fallen. Beyond this, careful 

 observation should be kept on the nature and practical working 

 of the laws of other countries, and much study should be devoted 

 to the food of birds and to their relationship to the animal and 

 vegetable world around them. 



Note. — In reference to Mr. Macpherson's comments on certain branches 

 of Bird Protection work, it should be mentioned that the Royal Society 

 for the Protection of Birds includes a special Watchers Committee for the 

 appointment and payment of watchers (p. 38) ; supplies nesting -boxes for 

 the encouragement of useful birds (p. 47) ; and has introduced " Bird and 

 Arbor" day into Great Britain by means of Covmty Challenge Sliield 

 Competitions (p. 49). 



