&orietg for tfrg jprrrfeittfltt of Jprirs.— No. 15e. 
PROCEEDINGS 
AT THE 
ANNUAL MEETING 
OF THE 
SOCIETY for the PROTECTION of BIRDS. 
» - ~ j 
1899. 
T HE Annual Meeting of the Society was held on Tuesday, 
February 28th, 1899, at the Westminster Palace Hotel, 
London. Sir Edward Grey, Bart., M.P., presided, supported by 
the Earl of Stamford, Mrs. Creighton, Sir Henry Vavasour, Bart., 
Mr. Big wood, M.P., Mr. Montagu Sharpe (Chairman of Com¬ 
mittee), Mr. H. E. Dresser, F.Z.S., F.L.S., and Mr. F. J. 
Jackson, C.B., and others. 
Mr. Montagu Shaepe, in presenting the Annual Report, dealt 
briefly with its salient features. A new development during the 
year had been the holding of a first Conference of Branch Secre¬ 
taries in October last, when various subjects were discussed with 
interest and profit, including a proposed new Wild Birds’ 
Protection Bill. When presiding at the last annual meeting he 
(the speaker) undertook to draft a Bill, in view of the difficulties 
with which County Councils had to contend, and the perplexities 
which confronted magistrates in dealing with prosecutions in the 
present intricate condition of the law. This new Bill, copies of 
which lay on the table, provided that all birds should be protected, 
leaving it open to County Councils to obtain exemption for species 
which might be considered too numerous and destructive in their 
respective districts. At the present time, if a rare bird came over 
to this country it might be shot or taken, even if protected, by a 
