THE DARTFORD WARBLER 251 



that the birds would quickly be gathered into 



their cabinets. 



ft 



My informant went on to say that the 

 greatest offenders were four or five gentlemen 

 in the place who were zealous collectors. The 

 county had obtained a stringent order, with all- 

 the-year-round protection for its rare species. 

 Much, too, had been done by individuals to 

 create a public opinion favourable to bird 

 protection, and among the educated classes there 

 was now a strong feeling against the destruction 

 by private collectors of all that was best worth 

 preserving in the local wild bird life. But so 

 far not the slightest effect had been produced 

 on the principal offenders. They would have 

 the rare birds, both the resident species and the 

 occasional visitants, and paid hberally for all 

 specimens. Bird - stuffers, gamekeepers — their 

 own and their neighbours' — fowlers, and all those 

 who had a keen eye for a feathered rarity, were 

 in their pay ; and so the destruction went 

 merrily on. The worst of it was that the 

 authors of the evil, who were not only law- 

 breakers themselves, but were paying others to 

 break the law, could not be touched; no one could 



