52



THE DEFINITION OF A “BRITISH BIRD.”


As there has been a considerable amount of discussion and some

difference of opinion on this subject, I think it may be of advantage for

me to briefly relate what has taken place, in order that the actual facts may

be placed on record.


After the letters published in the November Magazine, only one more

was received (from Mr. Harrison). The subject appeared to be one with which

the Council, as a body, were not altogether well qualified to deal, and it

was therefore proposed that it should be referred to a Special Committee

consisting of Dr. Butler, and Messrs. Bonhote, Marshall, Seth-Smith, and

Swaysland, with full power to settle the matter. This proposal was carried

by the Council. The members of the Special Committee are all “ British

Bird men ” and exhibitors, and were selected on account of this double

qualification.


The following series of questions was then submitted to the

members of the Special Committee, and the answers returned were

embodied in the definition published in “ Notices to Members ” last month.

There were some further questions, which were rendered useless by the

nature of the replies to No. 4. A copy of Mr. Howard Saunders’ hist was

sent round to the Special Committee with the questions, and also Mr.

Harrison’s letter.


Question 1.-—-Are you in favour of the Society preparing and publish¬

ing an independent list of its own ? This was answered in the negative by a

majority of the Committee.


Question 2.—Are you in favour of adopting Mr. Howard Saunders’

list ? This was answered in the affirmative by all, one member adding

“ with modifications.”


Question 3.—If Mr. Saunders’ List be adopted, are you in favour of

those birds the English names of which are printed in Italics being

excluded ? This was answered in the affirmative bj r all.


Question 4.—-Are you in favour of a separate list for .Show purposes ?

This was answered in the negative by all.


The answers to the foregoing questions were then embodied in the

following definition: “For the purposes of the Society, “British Bird”

shall mean any individual (foreign Bullfinches and Goldfinches excepted)

of any species included in Mr. Howard Saunders’ Eabel Fist of British

Birds (excluding those species the English names of which are in that list

printed in Italics.)”


O11 the 20th of November, 1S96, I wrote to the Manager of the Crystal

Palace informing him of the adoption by the Council of the above

definition, and suggesting its insertion in the Schedule of the next Palace

Show. In reply I received a letter from the Manager, thanking us for the

suggestion, but regretting that he did not see his way to “ publish any

particular standard for judging British or other birds in the rules.”

To this I replied, explaining that we had not suggested the publication of

standards for judging, and asking him “ to give the matter a little further

consideration before he decided finally against it.” I then received a letter

from the Manager, dated the 24th November, saying, “O11 further con¬

sideration I have decided to print the note (mentioned in your former

letter) in the Schedule.” I thereupon wrote to the Editor of the Feathered



