46 THE PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS IN ESSEX.
places within the county of many useful and interesting birds, which are in
danger of becoming extinct.'
" A further application was made under Section 3 of the Act, that
the provisions of the Act of 1880 might 'apply to the following birds not
included in the Schedule to that Act, viz. : Martins, Sand-martins, Swallows, and
Swifts.'
" To these applications a reply (dated 25th April, 1895) was received from the
Home Secretary objecting that the order asked for was of a 'very wide and
sweeping character. The coast-line of Essex, with its numerous estuaries, is very
extensive, and Mr. Asquith would suggest whether it is not possible to specify
particular areas or places to which rare birds, in danger of extinction or serious
diminution, resort for breeding purposes, instead of prohibiting the taking of eggs
over so large an area. The Secretary of State would require more information as
to the kinds of birds which are in danger of extinction or serious diminution before
he would be justified in making an order. Where large areas are sought to be
protected it is important to enumerate the principal kinds of birds which breed in
them in order to enable the Secretary of State to judge of the probable effect of
the proposed order.' In conclusion, Mr. Asquith intimated that he did not think
sufficient reason had been shown for the proposed addition to the Schedule of the
Act of 1880.
" About the same time an intimation reached the Wild Birds' Protection
Committee that the County Council of East Suffolk had made a similar applica-
tion to that from Essex, and that the authorities were prepared to meet a deputation
from the two counties.
" It may be worth while adding that to meet the views of the Secretary of
State there would be no objection to reducing the area proposed to that portion of
coast, etc., between Thames Haven and Harwich Light-house, and such portions
of the shores of the Crouch, Blackwater, and Colne Rivers as are between Battle
Bridge, Maldon, and Wyvenhoe. But it is absolutely necessary to protect the
whole area, as it is impossible to foretell what spots rare birds may first select as
breeding places ; and if a small area only were proclaimed, such as the known
nesting haunts of gulls or terns, the fact of their presence would be at once
advertised, and to the egg-collector the prohibition might be as suggestive as the
'Don't nail his ears to the pump' of the old story. As almost half the Norfolk
coast has been sanctioned as a nesting area, it is probable that a similar boon may
be conferred on Essex.
" With regard to the inclusion of the swallow tribe the 'reasons' which were
asked for in the Secretary of State's letter (but which are only required under the
Act in the case of applications for the protection of eggs) are these : That the
birds are absolutely harmless, and most useful, beautiful and attractive ; that
owing to the peculiar flight of the whole swallow tribe there is no danger of
their being mistaken for other birds ; that they require protection especially, as it
is the habit of some would-be 'sportsmen' to shoot at them as they skim over
streams and ponds with splendid swiftness—a crime no less wicked than that of
the Italian miscreant who goes 'fly-fishing' for them from some tall bridge with
a feather on his hook !
" It is probable that before another nesting season application may be made
for the general protection all over the county of the eggs of such rare, useful
and easily distinguished birds as owls, reed pheasant [the bearded-tit, Panurus
biarmicus], and the golden oriole. At any rate, such applications have been
granted in other counties. But except in the case of birds which are rare