 However the activity became extremely controversial after conservation groups concluded that the taking of rare birds' eggs was a major factor in the extinction and endangerment of rare species, and that the activity was without any real scientific value.The collection of new eggs was made illegal in 1954 by the Protection of Birds Act, and from this point the society was widely believed to act as an information exchange for a hard core of egg-takers and their customers.Its gatherings of often wealthy collectors were several times raided by police, one raid in 1994 leading to six convictions.