POOR PUSSY! 191 



and the present working- of the Wild Birds 

 Act must serve as our model. I want 

 sportsmen throughout England to consider 

 the advisability of a Wild Animals Act — a 

 permissive Act giving County Councils the 

 power to legislate for a close time for any 

 animal that is good for food. The fox is 

 safe enough, and the otter is getting more 

 protected daily. Nor do I think the badger 

 is in any need of protection. Anyhow, it 

 would be absurd to try for a law to protect 

 noxious animals, thouoh not so lone aeo, 

 in an Austrian sporting paper, I saw an 

 enthusiast clamouring for a close time for 

 bears, which, by the way, make a very 

 good one for themselves by disappearing 

 into their gaiiras from October to April. 

 County Councils, presumably, know their 

 own business ; and I have little doubt 



