THE COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC PRESERVATION

OF BIRDS.

[To THE EDITOR OF TEl "SPECTATOR")

Sm,—As the views of the Committee for the Economic Preserva- tion of Birds have been either misunderstood or misrepresented, we should like to set them before you in the briefest possible manner. Some of our members would prefer slightly to modify certain of the clauses. We who sign approve the following six suggestions as a working basis :— (1) Absolute protection during breeding season for all breeding wild birds of whatever kind.

(2) Absolute protection for all birds found upon inquiry to be either verging upon extinction, highly localized, or of determined benefit in agricultural centres. These birds to be known as " Birds of Class I."

(3) Regulations to be enforced by Government or local authorities under Government for species that have commercial value and are not in danger. These birds to be known as " Birds of Class II." The Government of the countries of origin to tax the sale of these species, and thereby recover the cost of enforcing regulations. (4) The permanent maintenance of an International Committee of scientific experts to determine year by year which species belong of right to the respective classes. (5) An international agreement to refuse importation to the world's markets, museums, and private collections of all species that are found to belong to " Class I."

(6) All species in "Class II." to be exported under licence. The Economic Committee would place at once in " Class I." the following birds :—

The family of chatterers. The Impeyan (Nonni) pheasants.

The cattle egret. The red bird of paradise of the

The resplendent trogon. Waign Island. The Prince Rudolf bird of paradise.

The lyre birds I of Australia. The rifle bird j Lewes's do.

Prince Wilhelm do. 'The regent bower bird. 's The flamingo. Rothschild's do. The spoonbills. Princess Stephanie's do. The tragopans. Met'er's do.

The other birds of paradise and large and small white herons would, in the light of our present information, come into " Class II.," together with other species that need not be enumerated here. It is clear that certain birds might be in " Class I." in some parts of the world and in " Class IL" in others.

We hold that these measures would protect birds that must else fall a prey to the irresistible march of civilization, the primary cause of bird disappearance. Here, we claim, is a scheme that can unite the Governments, naturalists, and merchants of Europe in sane and well-considered protective work. It is practical and effective. The Economic Committee has ample reason to believe that it would be accepted by every country with a plumage trade. The authorities of the countries of origin will speedily see that it pays to protect a valuable asset.—Apologizing for the length of this letter, which may best be excused on account of the wide interest taken in the subject, we are, Sir, &c. (for the Committee for the Economic Preservation of Birds),

P. CHALMERS MITCHELL, A. Maur.

Chairman. E. A. Movennr.

F. G. Aroato. C. E. MUSORAVE.

DUDLEY W. BUXTON. ROBERT NEWSTEAD.

C. F. DOWNHAM. HUBERT H. POOLE.

F. MARTIN DUNCAN. ROBERT H. READ.

G. K. DUNSTALL. HUGH SCOTT.

DOUGLAS ENGLISH. C. C. SBLIGMANN.

J. STANLEY GARDINEE. A. E. SHIPLEY.

MARCUS HAILTOG. THOMAS R. R. STEBBING.

W. D. HENDERSON. D'ARCY W. THOMPSON.

M. DAVENPORT HILL. J. ARTHUR THOMSON.

H. KNIGHT HORSFIELD. HUGH BOYD WATT.

Lours JOSEPH. W. PERCIVAL WESTELL.

H. MAXWELL ',RIMY. A. WINGFIELD.

EDMUND GILES LODER S. L. BENSUSAN Secre- E. W. MACBRIDE. . WILFRED MARE WEBB ) taries.

Cho The Selborne Society, 42 Bloomsbury Square, W.O.