120 TROPICAL WILD LIFE IN BRITISH GUIANA 



Any question of taste in food is too individual for gen- 

 eral discussion, but we could never decide which of the prin- 

 cipal types of birds we preferred. The game-birds of Gui- 

 ana are excelled by no pheasants of Asia nor grouse of 

 Europe. 



The question of extermination of wild birds is hardly 

 likely to arise in British Guiana as long as the present very 

 strict laws are in force. The conditions on the licence to 

 collect wild birds for scientific purposes read as follows : 



The Holder of this Licence is required : 



( 1 ) To submit all birds collected for inspection by the 

 Director of Science and Agriculture as well as at the Mu- 

 seum by the Curator. 



(2) To furnish the Director of Science and Agricul- 

 ture with a statement showing the kinds of birds and the 

 number of each kind obtained, and the localities in which 

 they were collected. 



(3) To specify the persons to whom, or the institu- 

 tion to which, his birds have been sold or forwarded, whether 

 in the Colony or abroad. 



(4) To keep books for inspection by the Director of 

 Science and Agriculture, the Inspector General of Police 

 or any officer deputed in writing by either of them to do so, 

 showing what kinds of birds have been killed, the number 

 of each kind, and the localities in which they were collected ; 

 where the birds' skins have been removed to, and how; and 

 the final disposal of such birds' skins, supported by receipts 

 or acknowledgments from the purchasers. 



(6) This licence must be returned to the Secretary 

 of the Board of Agriculture at the expiry of the period for 

 which it is issued or when an extension of its period is sought 

 for. 



The law for the protection of wild birds recognizes two 

 classes, those absolutely protected and those protected only 

 during a close season. I present the two lists as being of 



