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or taken, and also the importation of the plumage of any kind 

 of wild bird during such season ; the term " wild bird " to include 

 peacocks and game-birds. From 1887 to 1900 the Government 

 received many representations and appeals from various societies, 

 and from both Indian and European officials as well as from 

 private individuals, on the subject of bird protection. In con- 

 sequence, on August 31st, 1900, a circular was issued from Simla 

 to all Local Governments and Administrations, inviting their 

 attention to the Act of 1887, and asking for their views as to the 

 sufficiency of the measures in force to prevent the destruction 

 of the birds of India. 



The "Madras Mail" (March 27th and April 18th, 1900) spoke out 

 without hesitation on the matter, supporting the proposal for 

 a general prohibition of the export of bird- skins : 



" The dealers at Indian ports, and certain merchants and 

 brokers in Europe or elsewhere, might indulge in vituperative 

 language, but as, with the market peremptorily and per- 

 manentty closed, the demand for skins would cease, there 

 would be no inducement to supply skins, or no temptation 

 to slay birds wholesale. The cutting off of the supply from 

 India might compel the fair votaries of fashion at a distance 

 to pay more for the gratification of their taste for feathers 

 than the}^ now do. But India need not indulge in any 

 sympathy on their account. What she has great occasion 

 to do is to prevent a state of things that causes a deplorable 

 sacrifice of human food, and the materials for human raiment, 

 besides inflicting penury on individuals, and great loss on 

 the State. . . The ruthless destruction of insectivorous 

 birds with gay plumage causes such Avaste, since it deprives 

 growing food-crops of the protection afforded by a watchful 

 and efficient bird-police against multitudinous insect thieves. 5) 



The issue of the Notification (Customs Circular No. 13 of 1902) 

 was the result of the Government enquiry. 



Mr. Downham's grievance evidently is that the men whose 

 depredations the Notification was designed to stop, were not 

 asked to be consenting parties to the action agreed upon by a 

 responsible Government after full investigation. 



