62 



Article 9 wisely admits of each Power making its own exemp- 

 tions ; and bird-lovers would like to see the true Falcons 

 omitted from the black list, if only for the sake of their flight, 

 which is an added beauty to the landscape, and the apotheosis 

 of motion. Nature offers no more graceful spectacle of power 

 and skill than their soaring ; nothing comparable to their stoop, 

 for speed, and headlong impetuosity. " Their very crimes are 

 deeds of daring." None of these birds are so common that 

 their nesting season should not be respected. The short-winged 

 Hawks are more destructive, and could better be dispensed 

 with. And, owing to the rewards paid by pigeon clubs in 

 Germany, and by local authorities in Scandinavia, these are in 

 some districts heavily suppressed. The Tiere Borse states that 

 in 1907 premiums were paid in Germany for the feet of 103 

 Peregrines, but of 1152 Goshawks and 2152 Sparrow Hawks. 



AUDUBON SOCIETIES' PROPOSALS. 



No laws could be more concise, complete and drastic than those 

 proposed by the Iowa Audubon Society, and adapted by most 

 of the United States of America. They declare all wdld birds 

 to be State property, and after defining the winged game, which 

 have a special legislation of their own, they decree that no bird 

 shall be taken, killed, conveyed, sold, or bought, nor its nest and 

 brood interfered with, nor any part of the bird or its plumage 

 sold, under a fine of five dollars for each offence, and an addi- 

 tional fine of five dollars for each bird or part of a bird, or nest 

 or set of eggs. Permits, under binding conditions, are granted 

 accredited persons to collect for scientific purposes ; birds may 

 be taken and kept as pets, but not sold, exchanged, or transported. 

 The list of unprotected species contains three or four names 

 only, amongst them the European Sparrow. The several States 

 differ in the names of the few species which land occupiers may 

 kill in defence of property. No European legislation can vie 

 with this for thoroughness. Its comprehensiveness leaves the 

 critic no word, and causes the bird-lovers to rejoice that one 

 country has had the courage to make such an experiment. The 

 Act claims to have stood the test of the courts. It remains to 

 be seen whether it will stand the test of time, and whether 

 amendments will become necessary later on. 



USEFUL AND INJURIOUS BIRDS. 



Experience shows that certain kinds of birds can become over 

 numerous under protection ; but the question as to which birds 



