Bird Protection in Italy as It Impresses the Italian 197 



of this paper. My aim has been to give the view of the other side. But, we must 

 ask, Are Salvadori, and Berlese and Lico, who voice their opinions, and the others 

 of their school right in considering bird protection as a question of such grave 

 doubt that they will not lift a finger to stay the slaughter ? I believe that the 

 Italians are right in some of their minor premises, but wrong in their general con- 

 clusion. So far as argument goes, it can be shown upon the broad general facts of 

 biology that indiscriminate slaughter of the birds is very unwise. If birds are 

 indiscriminates layers of insects, which is admitted on all sides, how much greater 

 is the evil for man to become the indiscriminate slaughterer of the birds ? 



On the practical side, we are putting the question to a test in this country, 

 where, thanks to the ornithologists and bird-lovers, and to the elaborate analyses of 

 the food of birds made by the National Government, we are beginning to pursue 

 a very general and uniform' policy of protecting at all times as many of our wild 

 birds as possible — a policy quite the reverse of that favored in Italy. If the other 

 factors in the case can be equalized, time should soon show who is right and who is 

 wrong. 



It is difficult to prescribe for the patient who will insist that he has no ailment, 

 but, nevertheless, we believe that a great reform is needed in Italy, in checking 

 what we consider the insane and shameful slaughter of the song birds of Europe, 

 during the migratory periods especially; but this reform must come from the Ital- 

 ians themselves. Possibly, foreigners can do something to favor the movement : at 

 all events, it is for the interests of the other nations of Europe, and of Germany and 

 France in particular, to see that this cause does not languish. From all accounts, a 

 similar reform is needed in southern France and in Spain. 



At some future time another international congress will be called to discuss 

 anew the subject of bird protection, and to draft a uniform code of laws governing 

 the destruction of migratory birds in all the countries through which they pass. 

 An international court of arbitration should then be formed before whom, 

 when necessary, every question in dispute can be brought, and, let us hope, 

 settled, at appropriate times. 



