THE PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR....]
Sin,—It was hoped that full advantage would be taken of the provisions of the Wild Birds' Protection Act, as amended in 1894, to protect the eggs of rare birds, and the birds them- selves, throughout the country. But that hope is still very far from being realised. In fact, except in Middlesex, the pro- tection conferred in various counties, as, for example, Cumber- land, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Westmorland, East Riding and North Riding of Yorkshire—to take but one division—is altogether inefficient and mostly ineffective, and in some counties there is no protection whatever for certain wild birds. But now that the Government has passed another Bill, in August last—thus giving one more instance that stringent measures are truly needed—perhaps at last "bet- terment for birds " will become more of a reality, and exist not in name only, as in too many cases it does at present. In pursuance of the power conferred on him by the new Act, the Home Secretary has, on application of the County Council, issued an order still farther extending the close time for wild birds in Middlesex. Under the previous regulation close time covered the period from February 1st to August 31st in each year, but under the present order there would be a close time all the year round for many birds. Now, why should not every county in the British Isles follow snit P The order was issued in consequence of the great slaughter of wild birds which had occurred at the end of the last period of close time. And, with more or less truth, it may be said that the destruction of birds is something tremendous in every town and village in the three kingdoms.—I am, Sir, &e.,
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