The Huftîmïncr Bird. 



PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 



Lately much has been written and said on this subject, 

 which has had also its special Congress, and it is a good omen 

 that this question is so much taken up at the present 

 time, but it is my opinion that decrees are not sufficient 

 for the extinction of the evil. Better results can be 

 obtained by persuasion and instruction, than by threats of 

 the law. 



For centuries, birds have been caught in traps, nets, 

 and otherwise, for the purpose of food, etc. ; eggs and young 

 birds have been hunted for, by boys and girls, for pleasure's 

 sake, and the only practical way that I see to remediate this 

 is by teaching the first elements of Natural History in all 

 schools, especially Primaries, and to impress on all children 

 and others the importance of not destroying the eggs, or kill- 

 ing young birds. Special books on the subject, with coloured 

 plates, if possible, should be written by specialists, and dis- 

 tributed freely to all, especially in the country. 



As I have advocated before in the Humming Bird, 

 local Museums should be erected everywhere, even in the 

 smallest villages possessing a school, which could be 

 used to that effect, and rewards should be awarded to the 

 teachers and to boys or girls, who should contribute in gather- 

 ing the best specimens, and help most in the formation of these 

 small local Museums. 



Little by little, they should be taught the first notions of 

 Natural Historv, and would learn the importance of preserving 

 not only the Birds, but also the Mammals, and the Insects, 

 which are so useful to Agriculture. 



This is a task of which every teacher ought to be proud, 

 and, besides, what a source of enjoyment tor all. I defy any- 

 one to contradict me when I say that nothing in this world 

 can be compared to the study of Nature. Here all is enjoy- 

 ment, there is no drawback, and, besides, there is no better 

 opportunity for anyone to show his talents of observation, 

 and in doing this, for ever so little that he may do or discover, 

 he will have the satisfaction to know that he has been working 

 for the welfare of All. 



