Notes and Comments. II5 
THE CRAZE FOR DESTROYING WILD BIRDS. 
In a further letter Mr. Fortune states :—‘ I should like to 
suggest an antidote for this craze of destroying rare birds. It 
is not a nasty one, like many medicines which are given to 
cure disease, (and the collecting mania is a disease), but a 
very pleasant one. It is to take up the practice of photo- 
graphy in connection with the study of wild things. It is 
almost an absolute cure for the other state. Very many 
years ago I used to collect a little myself, although I was 
never very keen about it, always having a distaste tor taking 
the life of beautiful creatures. I found, however, that 
when I started photographing, and I believe I was about one 
of the first to practice natural history photography seriously, 
all desire for collecting passed away, and many of my friends, 
kindred spirits, who were formerly more or less fond of the gun, 
confess to the same result. They have now no desire to take 
the life of any wild creature. The practise of photography 
is infinitely more sporting, and the resulting pleasure is im- 
measurably greater and lasting. One comes into intimate 
contact with the rarest and wildest of our birds and animals ; 
the pleasure of watching their home life at the range of a few 
feet cannot be realised until experienced. No elaborate outfit 
is necessary, a small square tent as a “ hide,” with a cover not 
too glaring in colour, is every bit as efficacious as the most 
elaborately constructed artificial tree trunks, stuffed oxen or 
sheep. I would, however, suggest that photographers who 
have no genuine interest in natural history, and no sympathy 
or love for wild life (and there are far too many of this class 
about, who have been attracted to the work by the pretty 
pictures they sometimes obtain), should abstain from the 
practice, as they at times, from their lack of knowledge and 
sympathy, do considerable harm, in addition to bringing 
disgrace upon the genuine naturalist, as the general public 
cannot always discriminate between the two. Photography 
should be subservient to the real study of the habits and ways 
of wild things.’ 
A LEGITIMATE EGG-COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY. 
With the above title the editor of a natural history leaflet 
suggests the formation of a society with an annual subscription 
of 6d. per annum. The aim of the society is to ‘ unite those 
who are interested in the study of birds’ eggs,’ who must 
‘exclude from their collections all specimens which have been 
obtained by robbing harmless birds’ nests.’ It is, perhaps, a 
little difficult to understand how a ‘collector’ can progress 
if he keeps to this rule, but we learn that ‘ one member of the 
society, for instance, might come into possession of an aban- 
doned pheasant’s nest containing more than a dozen eggs. 
1916 April 1. 
