News and Views

Abstract

THERE is now real ground for hope that a new measure for the protection of wild birds in Great Britain may reach the Statute Book within the next few months and so come into force on Jan. 1, 1928. The Wild Birds Protection Bill received a second reading in the House of Commons on Mar. 25, and is referred to a standing committee. Ever since the Departmental Committee on the subject reported in 1919, legislation on these lines has been pending. Several bills, not greatly differing from the present one, have been introduced, afid have made progress in varying degree: they have eventually failed not through opposition but merely on account of the exigencies of parliamentary time. On this occasion the crucial stage has been survived, and if the Bill is given sympathetic treatment in committee, there should be no difficulty in its receiving a third reading and then passing through the House of Lords.