Protection of Wild Life in Yorkshire. 55 
exterminating both Owls and Hawks. I wrote to the owner 
drawing his attention to this state of things. I received in 
reply a most courteous letter thanking me for drawing his 
attention to the matter, which was entirely contrary to his 
desires, and stating that he had given orders that for the future 
these birds were not to be molested. The sequel, I regret to 
say, is not a happy one, a visit paid to some of the old owl 
trees, did not reveal a single bird at home, so that apparently 
they are being still quietly destroyed. I could mention other 
similar cases. 
Game preserving has to its credit one good feature. It 
offers sanctuary and protection to thousands of smaller wild 
birds, who find secure havens in the quiet woods and coverts 
devoted to the rule of King Pheasant. 
Gardners, farmers and foresters are all to blame for much 
unnecessary destruction. The gardener, when he sees a bird 
destroying buds, immediately condemns it to death as a bad 
character, not troubling to ascertain whether the buds are 
sound ones or have, as is usually the case, a nice juicy grub 
in their centre. The farmer will shoot the Owls which are 
preying on the mice and rats about his ricks, also the Starlings, 
Rooks and Lapwings, which are doing their best to rid his 
land of ‘leather-jackets’ and other noxious larve. The 
forester will destroy the Woodpeckers, being usually ignorant 
of the fact that these birds do not attack sound trees. These 
statements may appear rather sweeping. There are, of course, 
many members of these classes whose numbe s are steadily 
increasing, who have studied the facts carefully for themselves, 
and instead of destroying do all they can to protect birds of 
economic value. 
One of the evils to contend with are Sparrow clubs. If they 
confine themselves to their legitimate object of keeping the 
numbers of Sparrows and Rats within reasonable bounds, no 
jobjections would be raised against them; but as at present 
constituted they are simply a curse and ought to be stamped 
out as unclean things. Boys and loafers are encouraged for 
the sake of small rewards, in the destruction of small birds 
and their eggs, so much per dozen being paid for eggs and the 
heads of their victims. 
Unfortunately there are several of these clubs in the county 
and they are increasing. Many of them do not confine their 
activities to Sparrows and Rats, but accept the heads of all 
small birds, consequently there is probably a larger proportion 
of useful insect eating Finches and Warblers destroyed than 
Sparrows. If these clubs cannot be ended, they should at 
least be under efficient control, so that the senseless slaughter 
of useful birds may be stopped. 
There are agencies at work, aiding in the destruction of 
1916 Feb. 1. 
