THE PROTECTION OF THE GREEN PLOVER [To the Editor of
the SPECTATOR.] Sift,—In a review of my book, Birds of Marsh and Mere, appearing in Your issue of October 9th last, I am criticized for disregarding " the fact that the green plover is 'protected all the year round." I am well aware that this has been done locally by the action of various County Authorities (as duly noted and commented upon in my book) ; at the same time
I think I am correct 'in maintaining that no law has been passed to make this wide measure of protection applicable to the whole country.
In the proposed Wild Birds Protection Bill, 1926, which is due to receive its second reading on November 9th next,
I. find that the green plover (or lapwing) is scheduled to receive prOteetion " dining the clOse season," but ;Mr` at all
times." Further, by a special provision of the same Bill the possession and sale of plovers eggs will be made illegal after March 14th.
It is during the nesting season that the plover are in need of protection ; and not by any means during the winter months, at which time their numbers are vastly reinforced by migrant flocks from abroad. Accordingly I think that the proposals outlined above should meet with the approval of all fair. minded naturalists call sportsmen. This small correction apart, I must thank your critic for his kind and able review of
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