107 
a^^n’s of local superstition casts a more effectual protection than any 
Act of 1‘arliament could possibly afford. Again, I have been 
asked repeatedly why the handsome chaffinch, and our three or 
four useful species of titmice were omitted from the list. Jly 
oidy answer is, that so it seemed best to the Committee, whose 
decision upon the merits or demerits of certain species, was, doubt- 
less, arrived at from a purely agricultural and horticultural point 
of view, and guided, I fear, in many instances rather by ancient 
prejudices than by personal accpiaintance with their habits. In 
looking over a report of the proceedings of the Select Committee 
it is amusing to observe the divi.sions which took place for and 
against the introduction of certain birds into the schedule. The 
hedge-sparrow w’as elected by the casting vote of the chairman, 
the opposition possibly originating in the term sj)arrow, so erro- 
neously applied to this inoffensive species. Tlie owl (including, of 
course, all resident species) was happily installed by a majority of 
fourteen to four ; which shows how strong is now the feeling in 
favour of these birds as vermin killers, notwithstanding the high 
game preserving tendency of the age. And the whinchat also 
owes its place to the chairman’s casting vote, but why opposed 
or sup])orted it would be equally difficult to explain ; more par- 
ticularly since the election of its twin-brother, the stonechat, was 
not oven questioned. For my own part I should have voted 
against both, and several others besides, as. perfectly cajjable of 
taking care of themselves. 
l>lackbirds and thrushes, which certainly need no protection in 
this country, found as little hivour, as fruit caters, as did a large 
proportion of the finch tribe from their abundance and being 
essentially grain eaters. One honourable gentleman, I umhrstand” 
objected to the cuckoo on account of its “ noise;” and that busiest 
of insect hunters in all stages of development, the little blue tit, 
was passed over on the charge of picking holes in wall fruit, his 
accuser, no doubt, having seen him in active search after the ear- 
wigs and ants, that, together with the wasps, had done all the 
mischief. 
So much, then, as to the history of the transformation which 
^Ir. Johnstone’s bill experienced under the sentimental influences 
of Mr. Herbert’s “ suggestion.” I would ask, however, in common 
fairness, that whatever ridicule may attach to “ The Wild Birds’ 
