PERMIT PRINCIPLES 
17 
It is expected that the holders of permits will use them with reason- 
able discretion, taking only such specimens as their scientific requirements 
demand and avoiding unnecessary waste of life. The habitual taking of 
numbers of individuals for the purpose of obtaining a few specially desirable 
ones is deprecated; and it is urged that the collector take no more speci- 
mens than he has reasonable prospects of caring for and that he conscienti- 
ously endeavour properly to prepare each and all when taken. 
It is also recommended that the holders of permits will, so far as is 
consistent with their object, be considerate of the local feeling in the 
neighbourhood where they collect and will demonstrate both by actions 
and speech that the scientific collector is sympathetic towards the principles 
of wild-life conservation and is not the rival of legitimate sportsmen. 
It is required as an evidence of good faith that holders of permits 
label their specimens with the customary scientific data and properly care 
for them, not only at the time of collection but thereafter, giving them all 
reasonable protection against insect pests and other agencies of destruction, 
and will not permit them to be destroyed through carelessness or indiffer- 
ence. 
As permits are granted for the purpose of general scientific advance- 
ment and not for individual benefit, specimens taken under them are to be 
regarded as being in the nature of public trusts, and should be accessible 
to all duly qualified students under only such reasonable restrictions as 
are necessary for their protection or as are consistent with the owner’s work. 
Finally, it is urged that provision be made so that specimens taken 
will ultimately find their way into permanent or public collections where 
they will be available for study by future generations and not be wasted 
and lost through neglect. 
Although all these conditions are not strictly mandatory, and their 
spirit will be liberally interpreted, they will be considered in the granting 
or renewal of each permit, and evidence of gross violation of them may be 
deemed sufficient ground for the refusal of an application or for the revoca- 
tion of any permit already granted. 
It is hoped and expected that the justice of these principles will be 
realized and that collectors will co-operate in advancing science to the 
utmost without unnecessary waste of valuable bird life. 
In concluding this subject of bird study attention is called to the fact 
that the various departments of the Government stand ready to assist 
the earnest student in every possible way. Their greatest usefulness will 
usually be found in the identification of specimens. The National Museum 
of Canada, Ottawa, will gladly identify and return any specimens that may 
be submitted for that purpose. Sometimes a fragment, such as a wing or 
tail, sometimes even a feather or two, will suffice. Of course, complete, 
well-made skins of the whole specimen are best, but the reader is urged, 
when these are not available, to preserve as many as possible of the easily 
prepared parts of birds he may be in doubt about and submit them to the 
Museum for examination. The Canadian National Parks Branch of the 
Department of the Interior, Ottawa, being in charge of the administration 
of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, is particularly interested in all 
questions of protection and public education and the services of its officers 
in allied subjects are equally at the disposal of inquirers. Earnest students 
are also always welcomed by the more advanced ornithologists, who are 
ready to assist them and give advice most freely. 
