6 
» w , « n • * 
indifference and callousness which prevailed in some quarters, and 
by the spread of interest and knowledge—a point so well insisted 
on by Mrs. Creighton—establish a bond of sympathy between 
ourselves and the beautiful creation which surrounded ns. 
Sir Henry Vavasour seconded the resolution, which was 
carried nem. con. 
The Chairman having invited remarks, or questions, 
Mr. Mott suggested that the five months’ close time afforded 
by the Wild Birds’ Act was inadequate for the protection of birds, 
and that Parliament should be petitioned to extend the period so 
as to include the whole of February, quite irrespective of County 
Council Orders. 
Mr. Bigwood, M.P., explained that this point was distinctly 
covered by the provisions of the new Bill which he had had the 
honour of introducing into the House of Commons, and which had 
been well received. The Times did them the favour of mentioning 
it in a column of political notes, and of setting forth its main 
features. One of the provisions of the Bill was that all wild birds 
should be protected from the 1st February to the end of August in 
every year. It remained for experts to find out the weak points in 
the Bill, and he would be happy to receive, through this Society, 
any amendment or suggestion which it might be thought would 
render the measure more practicable and efficient. It was not 
likely to pass very easily, but in any case it would serve a useful 
purpose in drawing public attention to facts, and showing that 
something ought to be done. The highly respected representative 
of a Middlesex constituency had been prevailed upon to oppose the 
Bill on the ground that birds did much mischief. The Bill, how¬ 
ever, gave power to County Councils to secure the exemption of 
any birds that might be a nuisance to agriculturists or others, so 
that those bodies would have complete control of the protection 
afforded in their administrative areas. This provision, he thought, 
ought to conciliate the Bill’s opponent, and give him an opportunity 
of bringing his constituents round to accept our view. Our first 
duty was to stir up our friends and press them to help in exciting 
public opinion in favour of this project. 
Mr. Wells (C.C., Berks.), urged that all lovers of birds 
ought not only to abstain from dishes composed of larks, but to 
make up their minds never to eat another plover’s egg. Plovers 
were becoming rarer and rarer, and it was a thousand pities thus 
to destroy the best friend the farmer could have. 
Mr. H. E. Dresser said that, in proposing a vote of thanks 
to the Chairman, he felt he must add his testimony to the keen 
pleasure to be derived from living amongst birds, and to the great 
loss our friends in France experienced through the absence of beauty 
