BIRD PRESERVATION
A letter about bird preservation in Australia comes from Mr. Max Henry, of Chatswood, NSW, who remarks: 'The growth of natural feeling for the wild life of Australia .has been slow in .gaining impetus. For many years the settlers looked upoh the English fauna as the natural species to develop in Australia, and as a result the country suffered from the intro- duction of the rabbit, hare, fox, sparrow, starling, etc.; but now appreciation of our native birds and animals is steadily increasing. In 1879 the first step was taken to control the activities of the population in regard to, native and imported birds, and close seasons were established for some of the mote striking and uncommon types, such as kookaburras, black swan, emu and lyre birds. No further action was taken until 1903, when the Native Ani- mals Protection Act was passed, giving partial or absolute protection to a number of species as shown in a defined list. In 1918 important changes were effected by legislation : sanctu- aries created, rangers appointed and protection afforded to all native birds except those in- cluded in a special list, variable from time to time. The feeling of the people regarding birds has improved gradually, and some fifteen years ago a small inter-departmental committee on which I was privileged to serve as chairman was instructed to survey the situation and re- pcirt on possible .improvements. Among the most valuable aspects of the work for bird preservation in Australia has been the creation of sanctuaries in area from 100 acres to 600 square miles, giving shelter to many species.'
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