| Description | Summary of Wild Birds Protection Acts passed in Britain, 1880-1904:
1869 - Sea Birds Protection Act
Fashion of wearing plumage, particularly gulls', in women's hats sparked outrage. First piece of legislation passed to protect birds, but virtually impossible to enforce
1880 - Wild Birds Protection (Principal) Act
Extended 1869 Act to include most birds. It prohibited the shooting or snaring of wild birds during a particular period (Close Time) and presented a schedule of birds for which greater protection should be granted; prohibited sale of any recently killed wild birdd after 15 March; made provision for extension and amendments to close time period
1881- Wild Birds Protection Act
Amended the law to include protection of birds killed abroad
1891 - The Wild Birds Protection Act allowed County Councils to apply for orders prohibiting taking/destroying eggs in particular breeding areas and to add further species to county specific schedules
1896 - The Wild Birds Protection Act, 1896 enabled orders to be made prohibiting killing any wild bird outside of close time; enabled County Boroughs to make applications to add birds/eggs to schedule; gave power to forfeit traps/snares etc
1902 - The Wild Birds Protection Act, 1902 gave power to forfeit any wild bird or egg, in addition to applying a penalty to the individual collecting them
1904 - The Wild Birds Protection Act, prohibited use of the pole trap |