loS 



THE PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS 

 IN YORKSHIRE. 



The members of the Wild Birds and Eggs Protection Com- 

 mittee of the Yorkshire Natnrahsts' Union, together with 

 several representatives from the affiliated societies, met at the 

 Leeds Institute on Saturday, February 15th ; the Chairman, 

 of the Committee, Mr. W. H. St. Quintin, J. P., presiding. 



Mr. Sheppard reported that he had received a cheque for 

 £20 towards the fund from Mr. Charles Milnes Gaskell, which 

 would enable the Committee to carry out its work much more 

 thoroughl}^ 



Cases of the illegal use of pole-traps were reported, and many 

 other matters requiring the attention of the Committee were 

 discussed. Attention was drawn to an appeal recently issued 

 in the press, signed by Mr. St. Quintin and his colleagues on 

 the Watchers' Committee of the Royal Society for the Pro- 

 tection of Birds. In this it was pointed out that ' there are 

 in this country a certain number of collectors who, under the 

 name of British Ornithologists, are amongst the worst enemies 

 with which British ornithology has to reckon, because it is 

 their ceaseless endeavour to obtain " British-taken " eggs and 

 birds. It is a deplorable ambition, and traitorous to the cause 

 of British ornithology ; but it exists.' 



It was arranged for reliable watchers to be employed at Spurn 

 and other places during the coming year ; and special rewards 

 will be given. Hornsea and Bempton are to have special 

 attention. Bills, drawing particular attention to the protec- 

 tion of rare birds (species to be specified), and the illegality of 

 the pole-trap, are to be posted in certain out-of-the-way 

 districts, and rewards offered to those giving information which 

 will lead to the con^dction of any persons interfering with the 

 birds sheduled. 



The follovsdng is a list of subscriptions already promised 

 for the Wild Birds and Eggs Protection for 1908 : — 



£ s. d. 



Charles Milnes Gaskell . . . . 20 o o 

 \\. H. St. Quintin ^00 

 L. Gaunt . . . . . . . . 220 



Royal Society for Protection of 



Birds 220 

 H. B. Booth I I o 



Naturalist, 



