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12 th April, 1 88 1. 



Mr. Robert Young, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Mr. A. O'D. Taylor read a Paper on 

 THE WILD BIRDS' PROTECTION ACT, 1880. 



Mr. Taylor pointed out that there had been since 1869 three 

 Acts passed on this subject. The first of these was " An Act 

 for the Preservation of Sea Birds," passed in the 32nd and 33rd 

 year of the present reign ; the second, " An Act for the Pro- 

 tection of certain Wild Birds during the Breeding Season," 

 passed in the 35th and 36th year ; and the third, "An Act for 

 the Preservation of Wild Fowl," passed in the 39th and 40th 

 year. The last one — that now under consideration — was passed 

 in the 43rd and 44th year of Victoria, 7th September, 1880, and 

 came into force on the 1st March, 1881. Its title was "Wild 

 Birds' Protection, 1880." The main object of all these Acts was 

 undoubtedly a wise and kindly one — namely, to afford to all 

 those birds whose habits are not in themselves injurious to the 

 interests of man that immunity from molestation which all 

 animals require while looking after their young. The salient 

 features of the present Act are as follows : — First — The close 

 time is from 1st March till 1st August inclusive. Second — If 

 within that period any bird specified in an annexed schedule of 

 85 birds be killed by shooting or trapping, the penalty for each 

 bird so shot or trapped, or attempted to be shot or trapped, or 

 exposed for sale (after the 15th March) shall be a sum not ex- 

 ceeding 2cs. Third— If the bird destroyed be an unscheduled 

 one the offender shall, in the firstjinstance, be reprimanded, and 



