The Zoologist— October, 1874. 4195 



the spot found that it proceeded from a weasel, which, while endeavourin<^ 

 to force Its way through a small opening between two of the pales, about 

 fourteen mches from the ground, had stuck fast bj its neck between the 

 pales, and was there hanging when it was found and killed by the gardeners. 

 It is curious that last winter I saw a redbreast. which had been caught by 

 Its neck in a similar manner between two upright slates which formed a 

 portion of a garden fence.— J. H. Gurney. 



British Association for tlie Adyaucemeiit of Science. Belfast, 1874.— 



The Committee reappointed at Bradford to continue the investigation on 

 the desu'ability of establishing a "close time" for the preservation of indi- 

 genous animals, beg leave to report as follows :— 1. The Eeport of the Select 

 Committee, appointed in 1873 by the House of Commons to consider the 

 subject of the Protection of Wild Birds, which had not been published when 

 your Committee agreed to their last Report, appeared shortly afterwards, and 

 contained recommendations almost entirely identical with the anticipations 

 of your Committee. 2. These recommendations were so fully considered 

 by your Committee in their last Report, that they think it unnecessary to 

 refer again to the subject beyond expressing their regret at finding, from the 

 printed and published evidence taken by the Select Committee, that its 

 recommendations were not at all in accordance with such parts of that 

 evidence as your Committee deem the most trustworthy and valuable. 

 3. The delay in the meeting of Parliament, occasioned by the General 

 Election and change of Ministry, made your Committee believe that it would 

 be inexpedient for them to attempt any amendment of the Wild Birds Protec- 

 tion Act during the late Session. 4. In the House of Lords the Earl De la 

 Warr introduced a Bill intituled " An Act for the more effectual Protection 

 of Wild Birds during the Breeding Season," the principal feature of which 

 was to render penal the taking of certain birds' eggs. This Bill was not 

 based on any of the recommendations of the Select Committee of the House 

 of Commons (1873), and still less on any suggestions which have ever 

 proceeded from your Committee. 5. Lord De la Warr's Bill was with- 

 drawn ; and your Committee take this opportunity of declaring their belief 

 that the practice of birds'-nesting is and has been so much followed in 

 England that no Act of Pariiament, except one of the most severe character, 

 could stop it ; while any enactment of that kind would, by filling the gaols' 

 with boys (often of a tender age), excite a strong and uniform feeling of 

 hostihty against all measures for the protection of indigenous animals, even 

 among many of those who are at present favourably disposed to it. 6. Your 

 Committee believe that the effect of birds'-nesting on such kinds of birds as 

 are known to be diminishing in numbers is altogether inappreciable, while 

 its effect on those whose numbers are not decreasing may be safely 



