the Protection of Wild Birds



5



them over and over again to shoot or trap the pests and run the risk

of being convicted and fined or even, alternatively, imprisoned without

the option of a fine. It is true that the recommendation to grant a

reward to any person giving information which results in a conviction

would increase the likelihood of detection of an offender. Still, we

believe that chance would be taken in the cases cited above, and others

similar to them.


Under the heading “ miscellaneous ”, various minor, but admittedly

important, points were considered. The question, for instance, of

bird-catchers, birdshop-keepers, and taxidermists was carefully

examined, and resulted in the recommendation that the two first should

be licensed, and, further, that there should be regular and careful

inspection of shops and places where birds are kept, with a view to

the prevention of the keeping of birds under bad conditions. This

measure, involving supervision of the trade and more particularly,

we hope, the methods of packing for importation of foreign birds, will

be welcomed by all true aviculturists. Another trade concerned with

wild birds is that of taxidermy, and in this connexion it is recommended

that for the future it shall be illegal for a taxidermist to have in his

possession, for whatever purpose, any illegally taken bird, egg, or nest.

The question of enforcing the keeping by taxidermists of registers

open to inspection by authorized persons was also discussed ; but,

although no strong recommendation was made on the point, it is

abundantly clear that the committee was in favour of the suggestion.


There is one other little point to be mentioned in connexion with our

home birds, namely, the protection of lighthouses which, as is well

known, are a source of serious recurrent mortality, especially to

migratory species. Since the provision of perches by Trinity House

has proved in many cases an effective means of salvation, the committee

advises that suitable perches be provided on all lighthouses on and

around our coasts.


The bird fauna of the United Kingdom is so intimately connected

with that of Continental Europe, especially through the medium of

migratory species, that the consideration of international co-operation

in bird protection could not escape the attention of the committee,

and naturally the so-called Paris Convention of 1902, the main term of



