THE WILD BIRDS' PROTECTION BILL [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.]
Stn,—Mr. H. J. Massingliam's criticisms of this Bill in your issue of April 9th are, it appears to me, of little practical value. Like many others, he seems to take for granted that the existing Bird Protection Acts are effective ; whereas, in many districts, probably not more than one infringement in fifty is ever detected. At first sight I disliked the Bill, but or reconsideration I take a different view.
It is wrong to say that protection is altogether withdrawn from the skylark. All species are protected during the close season. The reduction by a single day of the close season as presently defined is of no practical consequence. Few persons, except for sufficient reasons, will incur the cost of applying for removal of protection from any specici. If " the humble agent who sells or takes to sell to the collector" is deterred from doing so by the proposed legislation, the collector will be prevented from committing so much injury as heretofore. He and gamekeepers are the worst offenders. The new penalties proposed by the Bill will act in future as a greater deterrent.
Much ado has been made regarding the position of the lapwing under the law as now proposed. Every observer of experience knows that it is by the taking of its eggs and not by the shooting of the bird that its numbers have become so greatly reduced. It and its eggs are to be protected during the close season. Nothing more is necessary, for few people ever think of shooting a lapwing. The position of the species in Forfarshire, with which I am well acquainted, is, I think, exceptional, or at all events unusual. In recent years there has been a gradual increase in its numbers largely owing, I believe, to the diligence of the Chief Constable and his staff in administering the County Council's Order.
Every bird-lover would like to sec a more comprehensive Bill, but having regard to all the difficulties of the situation, it seems to me the best possible in the circumstances.—I am,
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