248 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



have been found in North America, with the exception of a 

 few species that are really arctic in their distribution, al- 

 though less frequently seen in the New World than in the 

 Old. 



The water-birds of Europe are more common as stragglers. 

 Among them we may mention the English green-winged teal, 

 the widgeon, the woodcock, etc. The entire list, however, 

 does not amount to a dozen species. The causes of this dif- 

 ference are doubtless to be met with in the comparative prev- 

 alence of certain winds. Most of the captures of American 

 species take place in Ireland in autumn and early winter, and 

 in all cases are species belonging to the northern portion of 

 America, which migrate southward at the close of the breed- 

 ing season. At that time the prevailing winds are from the 

 west, and the birds in their flight become confused, and are 

 carried across by the winds, taking an occasional rest on pass- 

 ing vessels. 2 A, March 30, 1872, 219. 



PEOTECTION OF WILD-FOWL IN GEEAT BEITAIN. 



A bill has been introduced into the British Parliament for 

 the protection of wild-fowl, in which, after enumerating the 

 kinds that come legitimately under this heading, embracing 

 the principal waders, ducks, and geese that breed within the 

 British Islands between the first day of April and the first 

 day of August, it provides a forfeiture of a sum of money not 

 to exceed one pound sterling for each and every bird killed. 

 By this means it is hoped to check the hunting and unneces- 

 sary destruction of birds while engaged in the process of re- 

 production. 



It is well known that in past years the British Islands were 

 a favorite summer resort of myriads of birds of the kinds 

 mentioned, but these have been greatly reduced in number, 

 until many species may now be considered as almost entirely 

 exterminated. Should this bill become a law, and be en- 

 forced as effectually as the act for the preservation of the 

 sea-fowl, the same result may be anticipated, namely, that 

 of increasing their numbers enormously. 



It is much to be desired that similar laws should be enact- 

 ed in all the states of our Union which do not already have 

 them on their statute-books, and that they should be thor- 

 oughly enforced in the spirit of the regulation. We are all 



