THE PROTECTION OF OWLS.
[To THE EDITOR or THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—I think the writer of the interesting article on "The Gamekeeper's Black List' " in the Spectator of February 19th is mistaken in stating that owls are " protected over the whole country throughout the year." These birds are included in the schedule to the Wild Birds' Protection Act—the prin- cipal Act—and are therefore fully protected during the breed- ing season; but, unless some change has been made recently of which I am ignorant, this is the only protection afforded them in many districts. You are aware, of course, that a County Council can on application to the Home Office vary the provisions of the above-mentioned Act by, among other things, extend- ing the close time for certain birds, but the Orders obtained by the several counties differ according to the views on the subject of the Councillors and the approval thereof of the Home Secretary. In Herefordshire—an enlightened county— the Order now in force protects owls of all species throughout the year ; and only a fortnight ago I had the pleasure of assisting in convicting a young man for shooting what was called in the charge-sheet a " grey " owl (probably a barn owl) and fining him the full penalty of one pound. In the adjoin- ing county of Gloucester owls, unless some new Order has lately been obtained, are still only partially protected.—I am,
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