2132 The Zoologist — May, 1870. 



In the reference of tliis species to the genus Sagmatorrhina, the writer 

 is guided simply by Bonaparte's diagnosis, and by the figure of the 

 head of S. Lathanii, kindly furnished by Dr. Sclater. The dimensions 

 of S. Lalhami and the form of the bird are sufficient to distinguish 



S. Suckleyi from it. 



(To be continued.) 



The Protection of Birds. By Captain H. W. Feildkn. 



If you do not think that I am trespassing beyond the limits of a 

 contributor to a periodical of Natural History, 1 should ranch like to 

 bring to your notice and to the notice of the readers of your valuable 

 journal my views as to the great protection likely to be afforded to 

 the avi-fauna of Great Britain, from the proposed tax of the Right 

 Hon. Robert Lowe on the carrying of fire-arras. I am not going to 

 discuss the imposition of a one-pound license on fire-arras from any 

 other stand-point but that of a lover of bird-life, who derives true 

 enjoyment from out-of-doors observations of aniraal life : writing from 

 this basis, 1 feel sure that I may rely on the sympathies of your 

 readers. 



It is evident to those who have raade field Ornithology a pursuit 

 for any considerable time, that many of our native species of birds are 

 becouiing yearly scarcer and scarcer. This is owing partly to the 

 increase of population, and its attendant results, but far more I 

 contend to the great increase of idle gunners, who for the mere 

 pleasure of discharging their gun or for the desire of petty profit, have 

 been in the habit of indiscriminately slaughtering, in and out of the 

 breeding-season, our feathered favourites. 



The Sea-birds Preservation Act of last Session was a wise and kind 

 measure in the right direction, and I think the proposed tax on fire- 

 arms is another step forward, and will lead to the happiest results. 

 That it will meet with considerable opposition from many quarters I 

 have no doubt, and I take the following as an example from a leading 

 article of the 'Times' of the 12th of April: — " While the argument 

 that the tax may check poaching in the bud may be sufficiently 

 acceptable in the House of Commons, its practical consequences 

 that no schoolboy can have a day's shooting at Christraas without 

 paying a pound for a license is likely to excite a storm of unpopu- 

 larity." The ttnfortnnaie school-boy of the ' Times,' who is now to 

 be ruthlessly deprived of his innocent amusements at Christmas time. 



