The Plumage Bill

Abstract

MY statements as to the destruction of rare pheasants in the kingdom of Nipal were based, first, on facts which came to my notice when on or near the frontiers of Nipal in 1895, but a good deal more on the recent allegations made in the Calcutta Press, on the reports of an American ornithologist, and on other matter published in the pamphlets of Mr. James Buckland, or read by him at his public lectures. Much of this evidence was before me when the articles (to which Lieut.-Col. Manners-Smith takes exception) were written. But as it is difficult for one who writes a good deal and on many subjects (and has, moreover, in the months that have elapsed been undergoing the inconvenience of alterations to his writing-room) to keep such evidence so that it can remain always at his right hand, I have preferred to take the course of writing to all the persons who furnished these original accounts, asking them to instruct me once again, or at any rate to give me references which can be followed up. As this necessitates writing to America and to India, as well as to persons in London, some weeks may elapse before I am able to answer the main points in Lieut.-Col. Manners-Smith's letter.