Vol. xli.] 38 



The first is the one of which we hear most, and it is, 

 econoinically, probably the least important. Collectors are 

 not numerous enough, and do not run after a particular 

 species until it has got extremely rare and has ceased to be 

 of any economic importance — then the collector steps in and 

 gives the death blow, and is the proverbial " last straw.'* 



Consequently it is a spectacular event which calls forth 

 a universal chorus of condemnation. From a sentimental 

 point of view, however, it is right that such species should 

 receive all the protection we can give them, and we have no 

 more right to allow them to be destroyed than we have to 

 allow a collector of pictures to steal a Turner from the 

 National Gallery and destroy it. They are both unique and 

 irreplaceable. 



The Protection of Birds for Sport needs no compient. 

 Sportsmen are numerous and influential, and they are not 

 likely to exterminate any species and therefore lose their 

 sport ; and as the average sportsman knows the habits of his 

 game, the game protection laws are, as a rule, fairly good. 

 Where the sportsman requires watching is regarding the 

 protection of the enemies of his quarry, such as the Hawks 

 and Owls, for here he may, and often does, destroy birds 

 which are economically most useful. 



On the other hand, it must not be forgotten that certain 

 animals, such as the Fox and Deer, probably owe their 

 continued existence in England owing to their being pro- 

 tected for sporting purposes, and that deer-forests have in 

 many places been instrumental in saving the Golden Eagle. 



Lastly, birds need protection economically, either when 

 we require them ourselves for food, eggs, or feathers, or to 

 aid us in destroying pests. The former is, in my opinion, 

 by far the more important, though it is for the latter reason 

 that birds have been most protected. 



Each of these causes requires a special method of Pro- 

 tection, and I purpose taking concrete examples to familiarise 

 you with the main practical methods of Bird Protection : — 



(1) Collecting. The Kite in'England offers a good example 

 of the steps which it may be necessary to take to save a 



