9 8



THR LICENSING OF BIRD-CATCHERS.


Sir, — Tlie proposed adtion of the Society for the Protection of Birds

■with regard to the licensing of bird-catchers will, I have no doubt, meet

with the approval of all our members who claim to be true naturalists.


All who are acquainted with the extent to which bird-catching is

carried on from the first of August onwards, especially around London and

along the South Coast, cannot but realise that the imposition of a license

upon bird-catchers is sure to result in the increase of our native songsters.

The mere licensing of bird-catchers is, however, hardl} 7 all that is necessary

if we are to long retain the Goldfinch as a British wild bird. There can be

no doubt that if this and certain other species are to be saved from extermi¬

nation the close time must be extended. The cultivation of land, which was

formerly overgrown with thistles and other weeds, may have had something

to do with the thinning of the number of Goldfinches, but I believe the

bird-catcher has far the most to answer for in this respect. There are still

large tracts of uncultivated land in England where Goldfinches can find

isustenance if only the bird-catchers will give them a chance ; there are still

localities where the cheerful twitter of Carduelis may any day be heard

but where, year by year, he is becoming scarcer.


It is w 7 ell known that the Goldfinch is a decidedly late breeder.

Every mule-breeder knows well enough that it is practically useless to

attempt to breed Goldfinch mules until quite late in the spring, and that

cock Goldfinches are often read}’ enough to go on breeding after most

Canaries have commenced the autumnal moult. Thus it is that at the

beginning of August, when the bird-catchers commence work, not only are

there numbers of young Goldfinches which, although flying, are still

dependent upon their parents for food, but many are still actually in the

nest. At this time of the year both old and young (but far more of the

latter than the former) are readily attracted to the bird-catchers’ nets by

the call-birds, and are taken in considerable numbers. As before stated,

most of the young birds taken at this time of the year are absolutely

incapable of feeding themselves, and consequently die from starvation.

Even those that are able to eat soft seeds are quite incapable of digesting

the hard fare provided by their captors. I have several times conversed

with bird-catchers upon this subject, and have pointed out the folly and

cruelty of capturing these “ grey-pates,” as they are called at this stage of

their existence, and the bird-catchers have often admitted that 90 per cent,

of these young birds are sure to die within a week or so.


The adult birds taken in August very likely have families which can¬

not exist without them, and which are thus certain to die from starvation.


In my opinion, the only way to preserve the Goldfinch is to extend

the close season to the beginning or middle of September; the birds taken

after this are perfectly able to feed themselves and there is a good chance

of their living. Aviculturists are not, as a rule, over-given to false

sentiment, and they do not object to the capture of adult birds that will

have a good chance of living and doing well in captivity ; but I feel sure

that a good many of our members will agree that the capture of young

Goldfinches which cannot feed themselves, except, perhaps, upon soft green

seeds, and which are practically certain to die of starvation, should be put

a stop to, and I do not doubt that if the Societj^ for the Protection of Birds,



