10 INTRODUCTION. 



a large number of our County Councils, and, if judi- 

 ciously enforced, may still be in time to preserve to us 

 many species of our most valuable wild birds. 



But beyond legislation, bird lovers and those who 

 know the value of our wild birds may themselves do 

 much for bird protection by discouraging the wearing of 

 plumes and feathers of any bird, except those of the 

 Ostrich or of any bird killed for purposes of food, and by 

 condemning the wanton destruction of birds generally. 



Our landowners may prevent illegal bird catching and 

 nest destroying on their lands, and protect certain areas 

 at all events as asylums, where wild birds may nest and 

 rear their young in peace, without fear of disturbance 

 from the egg collector, or the depredator, who is always 

 on the look out for specimens of rare birds and their eggs, 

 of which to make merchandise. 



Another means of protection for our wild birds is that 

 of providing them with facilities for nesting, such as 

 nesting boxes, ledges, holes in trees or walls, thickets of 

 shrubs or rank vegetation, etc. These modes of protec- 

 tion have already been adopted by many of our true 

 naturalists and bird lovers with considerable success. 



Partly by the means above-mentioned and partly by 

 careful protection of the birds themselves, I have during 

 the last two or three years had the following species of 

 our wild birds nesting in and around my own garden, 

 shrubbery and buildings : — 



