• THE DESTRUCTION OF WILD BIRDS IN ITALY.
[To the Editor- of the SPEcra;ron.] Sta,—I was much interested in reading Mr. Watson's letter in your issue of May 26th, and have waited to answer it until the new Game Bill, which was then before the Italian Parlia- :dent, had been passed.
The. new law forbids the use of blinded birds. This is due chiefly to the campaign of the Rome Society for the Protec- tion of Animals, which has confiscated and destroyed many thotiSiszali of blinded bird.i in Lindbardy, Tuscany, Umbria
and the county of Rome under the law for the protection of animals, which fbrbids the blinding of birds but not the use of those already blinded. The Society's work would be considerably extended were it not much hampered by want of funds.
The huts, traps, decoys and nets for catching wild birds are still allowed, but their use is limited from August 15th to November 20th, except that waders and wild pigeons may be caught in nets from August 15th to March 31st. The use of tiny cages is not forbidden by the new Game Law, but our Society confiscates all birds in cages of lesser dimensions than 9 inches by 6 by 7 and destroys the cages, while it prosecutes their owners for cruelty. The fees for licences for netting and decoying birds have recently been raised considerably ; but it is doubtful whether this has materially restricted their destruction, especially as the police rarely enforce the Gatr Laws, and much netting is done without licences and in the close season in full view of patrols of carabinieri.
As this is the first Game Law that has been enacted since the Union of Italy, it is improbable that any further limit will be put upon the destruction of birds in this country during the next few years.—I am, Sir, &c., LEONARD T. HAWKSLEY,
Hon. Director. Rome Society for the Protection of Anima. 66 Piazza di Spagna, Rome, 6.
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