100 years ago in COUNTRY LIFE

July 7, 1917

LET us pity the poor birds in St. James’s Park! They used to be petted and pampered till they were plump and fearless by the little boys and girls who saved a part of their lunch that they might feed them with crumbs. But a stern Food Department have given warning that this is a crime. It renders ‘the person or persons offending liable to imprisonment for six months, with or without hard labour, or a fine not exceeding £100’. But should we really pity the birds? Considering the amount of indigestion, nettlerash, rheumatism and other ills that have been incurred by eating war bread, may they not count themselves happy to escape it?