II 
pleasure may not be taken from us (Cheers). We claim it as a right 
that these opportunities shall be preserved to us during our lifetime,, 
and we desire to hand them down to future generations, so that 
some, at any rate, of those who come after us may have the benefit 
of this pure and healthy pleasure, on which we ourselves set such 
great store. (Loud applause). 
Mr. J. H. Buxton :—I must acknowledge, like Sir Edward 
Grey, that I had not the least idea, when I entered this room, that I 
should be asked to say anything. However, I am very glad to raise 
my voice in behalf of your objects. It has occurred to me that, 
much as Members of Parliament may do, there is an immense deal 
that may be done outside the walls of Parliament, by endeavours to 
improve public opinion on the subject of humanity to birds, perhaps 
•even more than can be done by the legislature itself. (Hear, hear), 
I have an instance in my mind at this moment, and it concerns my 
own neighbourhood. There were some rare birds in my own county, 
which I was anxious to protect, and I knew if I did not exert my 
influence, on their behalf, they would soon be shot off or taken ; 
and I was specially desirous of preserving the Kingfishers and 
Woodpeckers. I spoke to all the people I knew, and to those I saw 
about from time to time ; and also mentioned the matter to my 
neighbours, the result being, that I had on my own place, two 
Kingfishers and one or two lesser spotted Woodpeckers’ nests, which 
I certainly should not have had, if I had not used what little 
influence I possess, in my own neighbourhood. (Cheers). 
Of all the birds which may be said to be useful to man, I think 
Hawks and Owls are hunted down most disgracefully in the present 
day. I am afraid those who preserve game, if not guilty, are 
indirectly guilty of this policy of extermination. Anyone who 
knows anything of birds, ought absolutely to forbid the destruction 
-of any sort of owl, whether by his keepers, men, tenant farmers, or 
anyone. The tenant farmers are much to blame, in regard to killing 
these birds, for they certainly seem determined to rid the country of 
them. I have seen and admired those beautiful Woodcock Owls 
•coming over in flights from the sea, usually travelling in flocks of 
ten or twelve, searching the ground in order that they may not miss 
any mice or rats that may lie in their course. In certain woods that 
I know very well, there has been every year a Long-eared Owl’s 
nest, from which the young birds have been fledged out all right. I 
once asked the keeper what harm they had done, and he said 
** Never a bit, so far as I know.” (Cheers). But I replied:—“ Is 
4 ‘ that quite the right answer ? I think they do a great deal of good, 
u in killing the rats and mice that abound.” (Cheers). The reason 
why they get such a bad name, is because they are seen among the 
.gamekeepers’ coops, and the ignorant keeper, because there are owls 
about his coops, concludes at once that they are after the young 
birds, whereas, he might know that where food is to be found, mice 
will congregate; and the owls are in search of them, and will not do 
any harm. But, even if it be proved that they do occasionally take 
a young partridge or pheasant, need we be so untiring in our 
