The Rationale of Bird Protection. 619 



(10) Appointment by Government of special officers to 

 enforce the Acts (in Queensland, rangers since 1877 ; in 

 Ontario, wardens, since 1900 ; and in Western Australia, 

 inspectors since 1902). 



As an indication of what may be done internationally, I 

 would draw attention to the laws for Africa, where will be 

 found reference to the Acts passed in Lagos and the Gold 

 Coast, to give effect to the International Convention for the 

 Preservation of Wild Animals, Birds, and Fishes, in a tract 

 of country extending across Central Africa, between the 20th 

 parallel of latitude and the River Zambesi and the northern 

 boundary of German South- West Africa. This Convention 

 was- signed in London in 1900, by representatives of Great 

 Britain, Germany, Spain, The Congo, France, Italy, and 

 Portugal. 



Such events as the International Ornithological Congress 

 must be powerful factors in bringing about the state of things 

 as regards Bird-protection, so ardently desired by all bird 

 lovers of whatever nationality. To understand and know 

 about a living creature as a rule begets a love for it, and to 

 love anything is to wish for its preservation. 



International Congresses give an impetus to the exalted 

 feeling of world-citizenship, and to a sense of the pride of 

 possession in all the beautiful wild life of both hemispheres. 

 To many individuals may be denied the pleasure of actually 

 seeing except in imagination, or, thanks to the description 

 of others, with the eye of the mind, many of the wonders of 

 bird-life ; but this is no reason why these people should not 

 rejoice in the knowledge that such loveliness exists ; inter- 

 course with others increases knowledge, and the exchange of 

 ideas between ornithologists of all nations will surely promote 

 the desire to hand down to future generations the world of 

 wild nature at least as complete and as rich as we found 

 it. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the members of this 

 Congress will unite in seeing to it, that man's best endeavours 

 are used to preserve every treasure of bird-life with which 

 the universe has been endowed hj the lavish hand of 

 Nature, 



