NATURE NOTES 
144 
dent of the British Ornithologists’ Union, said that the fittest 
place for the wilful destroyer of any owl in this country was an 
asylum for idiots. 
“ It is a disgrace to civilisation that, in order to pander to 
the appetites of epicures, we are allowing that glad songster, 
the skylark, to be destroyed by millions. During the season 
30,000 to 40,000 skylarks are daily brought into London for 
eating. 
“ The rich man’s demand for plovers’ eggs in the spring, 
and for their flesh in the autumn, has meant such an increase 
of wireworms in some districts as to put the farmers in 
despair. To kill a wild bird as well as to eat its eggs has been 
characterised by Sir Herbert Maxwell as most unfair dealing, 
and compared to burning the candle at both ends. No species 
of wild creature could withstand such a drain upon it. The 
lapwing has been called of all birds the farmer’s best friend. 
“ These few examples hint at the practical worth of birds. 
They are the appointed agents for certain branches of agri- 
culture. As such they are of paramount importance in the 
history of a country — indeed, of the whole world. I have 
chosen these species as illustrations of utility because, for the 
purposes I have named, heavy toll has been levied on them, 
as well as on hundreds of others, in almost every country in 
Europe. 
“ Time will not permit my even enumerating the laws which 
have been enacted in most civilised countries lor the protection 
of birds — laws which, unfortunately, are nowhere enforced as 
they should be, owing to the laxity of public opinion with 
regard to them. I trouble you by alluding to this part of the 
subject because women so often say to me, ‘ What is the use 
of talking to us against wearing feathers ; why don’t you get 
laws made to protect the birds?’ So I want to show that 
the legal aspect of the question is being constantly considered ; 
but, unhappily, the law cannot do much, and without public 
opinion in its favour it can do absolutely nothing — at least with 
the English-speaking race ! 
“ International conferences have been held, and such steps 
as these are necessary. This year an important International 
Conference with regard to the preservation of Animal and Bird 
Life in East Africa takes place in London, and in 1900 an 
International Conference is to be held in Paris, again especially 
to consider the protection of migratory species. The wholesale 
destruction of swallows which has taken place during the last 
few years, and the horrors connected with the importation ot 
live quails from Egypt and Italy, call for the enactment of some 
stringent regulations to be observed by all nations. 
“ I must now dwell more particularly on what has been 
called ‘ Murderous Millinery,’ and I think you will allow that the 
term is a just one when 1 tell you that upwards of thirty-five 
millions of birds are annually imported into this country for 
