Protection of Birds.



177



PROTECTION OF BIRDS.



IMPORTATION OF PLUMAGE (PROHIBITION) BILL.


We are asked to announce that a Public Meeting' in support

of the above-mentioned Bill will be held at the Caxton Hall, West¬

minster, on March 19th, 1914, at 5.30 p.m.


This Bill, a non-party measure, will prohibit the importation

into the United Kingdom of the plumage of wild birds, such as

Egrets and Birds of Paradise—Ostrich feathers being especially

exempted—and it is confidently believed that such legislation will

have far-reaching effects towards the preservation of many rare and

beautiful birds now in danger of extermination.


Mr. Sydney Buxton, ex-President of the Board of Trade, and

Mr. Page Croft, M.P., who introduced the Bill into the House of

Commons last year, will speak, among others; and since it is

desirable that the Meeting should be as representative and influential

as possible, it is hoped that all members of the Avicultural Society

in favour of the measure will attend, if possible.


Free tickets for the Meeting may be obtained from :


Mr. R. I. POCOCK, F.R.S.,


Hon. Sec. Avicultural Society,


Zoological Society, Regent’s Park, N.W.



THE COUNCIL MEETING.


NOTICE TO FOREIGN MEMBERS.


Since members living abroad are by the rules of the Society

ineligible for the medal for priority in breeding, the Council decided

to offer an annual prize for the best article or series of articles or

notes upon foreign birds, either wild or captive, submitted by such

members and accepted for publication in the magazine ; the prize to

consist of a bound and inscribed copy of “ Practical Bird-Keeping,”

or some suitable book on Aviculture or Ornithology. The award of

the prize, which is offered for the current and following years, will

rest with the Editor of the Magazine.



