Utility and Economy of Birds 



PHEASANTS were fetching as high as a guinea 

 apiece in the retail shops. 



In March 1918 the Board of Agriculture 

 for Scotland authorised WILD GEESE to be 

 killed and sold up to the 3ist of the month 

 in many counties : by no means a bad war 

 measure, but one which would hardly find 

 favour with the bird-lover in time of peace 

 (Dumfries and Galloway Standard, g.iii.iS). 

 On March 27th, 1918, the Ministry of Food 

 outlined a scheme for obtaining as large a 

 supply as possible of GAME, WILDFOWL, and 

 rabbits during the ensuing season (Globe, 

 27.iii.i8). Under the rationing restrictions, 

 rules were laid down as regards the amount 

 of GAME or POULTRY which might be eaten. 

 Special concessions were, in April 1918, made 

 to those persons, including their families and 

 dependents, who reared POULTRY. In the 

 case of GAME, the host, also his gamekeepers 

 and guests, were entitled to take the GAME 

 at a reduced rate of coupons (Daily Mail, 

 Ii.iv.i8). As the result of a conference 

 with the salesmen at Smithfield and 

 Leadenhall Markets, the Food Controller, in 



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