AIK. T. SOUTHWELL ON THE WILD DIUDS PROTECTION ACT. 211 
“ A difficulty seems to present itself with regard to a few inland species, 
such as the Stone Curlew and the Ring Dotterels, which breed in certain 
open districts and heath lands in central Norfolk. These are too scattered 
for their breeding places to be prescribed, and, I fear, must be left to the 
protection of those who have an interest in their chosen sites. 
“ The only serious objections which 1 have heard advanced against the 
‘specified areas’ proposal are (1) That all the birds breeding in such areas 
would have to be protected. This appears to me to be a very minor objection, 
as the areas mentioned would hardly be those in which obnoxious birds 
breed, these species almost entirely frequenting woodland districts strictly 
protected for game, or the immediate neighbourhood of the abode of man 
(Sparrow), neither of which localities would be likely to be suggested for 
protection; and could be treated on their individual merits if such were the 
case. (2) Predacious Birds. The only birds which could lie considered to 
come under this head in the districts to which I have referred are three 
species of Harrier and the Short-eared Owl (the Kestrel and White Owl are 
altogether blessings). All these species formerly bred in Norfolk, but have, 
except in rare instances, ceased to do so. Two species of Harrier and the 
Short-eared Owl almost entirely subsist on small rodents, thereby conferring 
undoubted benefit on man, and the third species of Harrier (the Marsh 
Harrier) although it certainly will, when driven by hunger, attack domestic 
poultry and ducks, is so rare as scarcely to be worthy of being taken into 
account, and probably, were the young of the wild breeding birds, which it 
is hoped will become more numerous by protection, less difficult to obtain, 
it would not be driven to commit depredations on the domesticated birds to 
meet its wants. 
“ I have little more to say than that if the Act is to be successfully 
carried out, the goodwill of all should be enlisted, friction should be avoided, 
and care be taken that even prejudice, as far as possible, should be gently 
dealt with, trusting to experience and time to reconcile those who may be 
doubters as to the expediency of a measure, the benefits of which they may 
not at present be able to appreciate.” 
The following memorial was also presented by the landowners 
and others resident in Yarmouth and the “ Broad District ” : 
TO THE CHAIRMAN, ALDERMEN, AND COUNCILLORS 
OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE 
COUNTY OF NORFOLK. 
THE MEMORIAL of the undersigned Landowners and others interested 
in the protection of Wild Birds. 
Sheweth that by a recent Act of Parliament intituled “ The Wild Birds 
Protection Act, 1894,” being an Act to amend “The Wild Birds Protection 
Act, 1880,” it is enacted that a Secretary of State may, upon application by 
the County Council of any Administrative County, by order prohibit — 
