Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Hunting, Environmentalism, Cruelty, Natural History, Agriculture, Ornithology

    Noting newspaper reports of the large number of birds, rabbits, mice, and other animals caught in France, discusses a 'petition from a number of French naturalists' protesting against the hunting of birds on the grounds that this action increases the number of 'cockroaches and caterpillars' and other insects that wreak havoc on corn and fruit crops. Notes that the petition urged 'les Sportmen' to confine their killing to 'rather larger game'. Presents an extract from a letter in The Times expressing similar views to the French naturalists. Concludes by calling for an end to 'this suicidal hedgerow warfare' and noting Mr Punch's intention to shoot any knave caught taking 'pot-shots' at sparrows.