Bygone birding: 'destruction of rare and beautiful birds is almost as rife ever' says Times correspondent

                                                                  

Grey phalarope - target of hunters

Extract from The Times newspaper (September 9, 1901)

 

Mr. Joseph Collinson writes: "The destruction of rare and beautiful birds for specimens, if we are to judge from the provincial newspapers, is almost as rife as ever.

"The latest list of victims taken by the British bird hunter includes the spoonbill, stork, grey phalarope, snowy owl, honey buzzard, Montagu's harrier, two glossy ibis and innumerable waxwings, hoopoes and bitterns, not to mention several birds which, though not so rare, are rapidly becoming scarcer year by year. 

"It is idle to appeal to the humane sentiment of the bird vandal; the collecting of British-killed ‘specimens’ is his special calling, and he studies the Acts relating to the subject solely with a view to escape detection and punishment. 

"So far as the birds I have named are concerned, the existing law is nothing more than a farce as they can be shot down with impunity almost in every part of the country by anyone with a gun. 

"Is not this ridiculous? 

"Owing to the omission of many migratory species from the statutory orders and the incompetent and slovenly way in which the laws are carried out by the administrative bodies, those Acts are only effective in those cases where they are least needed. 

"Professor Howes, in a recent speech, expressed his opinion that the present unsatisfactory state of affairs is largely due to the apathy of the local bodies? 

"No doubt the county councils could do a great deal more for the protection of rare birds, but what is really wanted is a Bill to consolidate and amend the law."