SELBORNIANA 
143 
Bird P) otection. 
Attention is once more called by the Animals' Friend to the destruction of 
insectivorous migrants in Egypt, on their way to and from Europe. In the early 
days of April the Egyptian Government actually let out certain suitable tracts of 
land to professional bird-catchers, who erect arrangements of leaves and branches, 
which they smear with a sticky composition, scattering food round about to attract 
the birds. It is stated that in one place, on one day alone, 20,000 small birds 
were captured by these means. 
Foreign Office, June 23, 1903. 
Sir, — With reference to your letter of the 21st ultimo, I 
am directed by the Marquess of Lansdowne to transmit to 
you herewith, to be laid before the Council of the Selborne 
Society, copy of a despatch from His Majesty’s Agent and 
Consul General at Cairo relative to the alleged destruction of 
insectivorous birds in Egypt. 
It will be seen from Lord Cromer’s despatch, that the state- 
ment in the Globe newspaper, to which attention was drawn in 
your letter, is devoid of foundation, and that the Egyptian 
Government are considering the question of protective legislation 
on the subject. 
I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
R. Marshman Wattson, Esq., T. H. Sanderson. 
Secretary to the Selborne Society, 
Hanover Square, W. 
[Copy. No. 76.] Cairo, June 7, 1903. 
My Lord, — I have the honour to reply to Your Lordship’s despatch No. 95 
of the 27th uliimo. 
The statement which appeared in the Globe, and to which allusion is made 
by ihe Selborne Society, is wholly devoid of foundation. 
I think I may say that every responsible authority here is in entire sympathy 
with the objects of the Selborne Society. The question of protecting insectivorous 
birds has been frequently under consideration in Egypt. The difficulties in 
dealing with the subject are unfortunately considerable. They arise, broadly 
speaking, from the rights conferred on Europeans by the Capitulations. No very 
effective legislation in this, or in cognate matters, is possible without the 
unanimous consent of all the Powers of Europe, and experience has shown that 
unanimity, when any legislative measure is proposed, can rarely be obtained. 
Within certain very narrow limits, however, the Egyptian Government can 
legislate for all the inhabitants of Egypt, with the assent of the General Assembly 
of the Mixed Courts. I have the honour to enclose a draft Khedivial Decree, 
which is now under the consideration of the General Assembly, and which will, 
I trust, shortly become law. I do not say that this measure goes as far as could 
be wished, but it will, I hope, do some good. After consultation with the various 
authorities concerned, it was thought that, for the present at all events, any more 
ambitious legislation would not, in all probability, be operative in practice. 
The results which will be obtained, should the new law be passed, will be 
watched, and, if necessary, the matter can be reconsidered at some subsequent 
period. 
I have, &c., 
The Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G., Lrc., crV., drY. ( Signed ) Cromer. 
[Copie.] Projet D’Arrete, 
Le Ministre de l’lnterieur, 
Considerant qu’il est de l’interet general de proteger les oiseaux utiles a 
1’agriculture ; 
Considerant qu’il y a lieu aussi de proteger les cailles contre les mauvais 
