ON THE DESIRABILITY OF ESTABLISHING A '' CLOSE TIME." G5 



The diminution of such birds as the Wheatear, the Goldfinch, and Linnet can 

 be immediately traced to the breaking up, and bringing under cultivation, of 

 commons, and so probably of the rest ; while, on the other hand, it is obvious 

 that many kinds of Small Birds have largely increased in number owing to 

 the spread of plantations, and the security from molestation during the 

 breeding-season they enjoy through the incessant attention given to the 

 preservation of game. 



"At the same time the Committee is of opinion that some steps for the 

 Regulation of Bird-catchers might well be taken, with the approval not only 

 of the general public, but of the better class of bird-catchers themselves ; 

 and, should success attend its present attempt, the Committee would readily 

 direct its efforts to that object." 



Your Committee has the gratification of reporting that the opposition which 

 the Bill encountered in the House of Commons, though seriously intended, 

 Was happily overcome by the good management of Mr. Chaplin and his 

 seconder, Mr. Rodwell, Q.C. A division was taken on the motion for the 

 Second Eeading, when the numbers against it were 13, and in its favour 337 

 • — an almost absolute majority of the whole House. 



In deference to certain objections which were raised in Committee, Mr. 

 Cha2)lin consented to an alteration of the original draft Bill as regards the 

 days when the proposed " Close Time " should begin and end. Your Com- 

 mittee cannot wholly approve of this change ; but as it does not affect the 

 length of the season, the modification seems not to be very important, while 

 Mr. Chaplin's adroit acceptance of it unquestionably saved the Bill. 



No further alteration was made. The Bill, having passed the Commons, 

 was kindly taken charge of in the Upper House by Lord Henniker, and 

 finally received the Eoyal Assent on the 2-tth of July. 



In congratulating all who have at heart the protection of indigenous 

 animals in this happy result, your Committee desires to point out that their 

 most sincere thanks are due to the nobleman and gentlemen already named, 

 as well as to others who aided the passage of the Bill through both Houses, 

 and, in particular, the efforts of Lord Walsingham deserve especial recognition. 



With regard to the taking of any further steps, your Committee can only 

 suggest the possibility of something being done in the direction indicated by 

 the last paragrajih of the foregoing statement. The difficulties, however, in 

 the way of passing any measure for the Regulation of Bird-catchers, which 

 should be at once effectual and acceptable to Parliament, seem to be very 

 great, and your Committee is not sanguine of the success of any immediate 

 attempt to attain this end. 



The Sea-Birds Preservation Act continues to work satisfactorily on the 

 whole, though your Committee has reason to fear that its provisions have 

 been disregarded in certain places. Some time has elapsed since any prose- 

 cution under it has taken place ; and its enforcement in a few instances in 

 the course of the next j^ear may be needed to show that it cannot be violated 

 wi:h impunity. To this object your Committee, if reappointed, will give its 

 attention ; meanwhile it may be observed that the Act is very favourably 

 regarded in most places, and that, by authority of its third section, the 

 Secretary of State for the Home Department has, on the recommendation of 

 the justices of the East Biding of York in Quarter Sessions assembled, ex- 

 tended the "Close Time" on the coast of that county from the 1st to the 

 15th of August. , 



Your Committee respectfully urges its reappointment. 



1876. 



I 



