50 THE PROTECTION OF WILD BIRDS IN ESSEX.
society or league only those who never get a chance to shoot them were willing
for this self-denying ordinance. Wild duck; bleed in several parts of the Forest,
and I know of one nest at the present moment in the heart of the Forest, at least
a mile from any pond.
" As the result of my efforts, there is now safe asylum for the birds I have
named over an area of nearly 20,000 acres ; and it is obvious that this association
for a common purpose may be extended in various directions, as. for instance, in
combined steps against the bird-catchers who invade us in such numbers.''
We feel sure that our members and readers will do all in their
power to assist Mr. Buxton's admirable efforts. He has since issued
a most attractive card, illustrated by Lodge with pictures of the
Kestrel, Barn-owl, Lapwing, Kingfisher, Heron, and Magpie, which
is intended to be hung up in Keepers' and Foremen's cottages, etc.,
as a perpetual reminder of the agreement entered into. The card
is as follows :
"EPPING FOREST BIRD PROTECTION LEAGUE.
" Epping Forest is a sanctuary, nearly six thousand acres in ex-
tent, for all kinds of birds and animals. The adjoining Landowners
have agreed to extend this protection, over their own coverts and
lands, to certain birds in danger of becoming extinct or rare in the
neighbourhood. The Birds agreed upon are as follows : All the
family of the Owls, the Hawks, except the Sparrow Hawk ; Magpie ;
Peewit ; Heron ; Kingfisher.
" The owners or tenants of the following estates or woods have
agreed to instruct their Keepers to protect the above-named birds as
far as possible : Gaynes Park ; Bishops Hall ; Loughton Manor ;
Warlies ; Sewardstone Manor ; Copped Hall ; Woodreddon ;
Valentines ; Hill Hall ; Bitchetts ; Birch Hall ; Knighton ; Hig-
hams ; Chingford Hall; the Meadows adjoining Wanstead Park ;
Monkhams." 1
We cannot but feel that the above record indicates a most
satisfactory advance in public opinion on this matter to all true
naturalists and lovers of Nature. It is hoped that the recommenda-
tions of the County Council will be confirmed by the Home
Secretary, and thus that a working scheme for the protection of our
most interesting birds may be inaugurated. Mr. Buxton's experi-
ment will be watched with great interest, inasmuch as the area is
larger probably than any other protected district in England.
Everyone must have noticed the increase of many kinds of birds in
the Forest since it was taken over by the Epping Forest Committee,
1 A c of this card, with an explanation of Mr. Buxton's scheme for the protection of birds
in the forest area, is hang up for inspection in the Epping Forest Museum at Chingford.