[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR, In his letter,.
Captain Fairhohne says, " The Protection of Birds Act, 1925, has done a great deal towards putting an
end to this cruelty." I am sorry, but it is necessary to correct the chief secretary of the R.S.P.C.A. on this subject.
The Act has not affected bird-catching in the slightest. Bird-lime is advertised as much as ever bt.ez, called " lime for rats or mice." Here is an advertisement in a bird paper which speaks for itself : " Two tons lime sold last season. Stood the test for over 40 years. Guaranteed to hold any- thing." What does " last season " mean ?
It means last bird-catching season, which is last autumn, before the principal bird shows are staged, and yet " last season " Sir Harry Brittain's Act was in force !
Incidentally, prohibiting the use of brace birds or lime is a very slight mitigation of the cruelty of bird-catching. As for the size of cages, there is a society formed, called the Bird Keepers' Defence League, which amongst other activities provides the money for defence of an R.S.P.C.A. prosecution in certain bird cases. It has also decided on the minimum (which- usually becomes the maximum for bird shops) size of cages for various British birds. Roughly speaking 10 in. by 8 in. by 6 in. is considered sufficient to allow a linnet to spread its wings freely ! Why not start a Bird Defence League in opposition• to this B.K.D.L. ? It is about time. Don't forget that " we sold two tons of lime last season, and it holds anything " !—I am, Sir, &c., S. W. G. GRAVENER.
16 Whitewell Road, Southsea.
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