HINTS FOR COLLECTING WATER BIRDS. 197 



of fish ; but I do not remember to have either read or heard of any, 

 though I am aware that it has been observed that several species of fish 

 have diminished in number in consequence of the introduction of steam- 

 packets on our rivers. The influx of nauseous and poisonous filth and 

 refuse from sewers and manufactories has also contributed to produce 

 the same effect. 



It is not alone in England and the countries adjacent that certain 

 species of animals are progressing towards their extirpation. Bona- 

 parte tells us that in " Canada and the densely peopled parts of the 

 United States, wild turkeys were formerly very abundant ; but, like 

 the Indian and buffalo, they have been compelled to yield to the destruc- 

 tive ingenuity of the white settlers, often wantonly exercised, and seek 

 refuge in the remotest parts of the interior. Although they relinquish 

 their native soil with slow and reluctant steps, yet such is the rapidity 

 with which settlements are extended and condensed over the surface of 

 the country, that we may anticipate a day, at no distant period, when 

 the hunter will seek the wild turkey in vain." 



We have now seen the influence of man and other agents exerted 

 sometimes designedly, sometimes unintentionally, in extirpating vari- 

 ous species of animals in different parts of the world, and driving them 

 from one quarter to another where they may rest with less chance of 

 being annoyed. But whilst man has been the principal cause of the 

 extirpation of the animals herein mentioned, he has been instrumental 

 to the dissemination of others, by introducing them into countries 

 where previously they did not exist. 



Poddington, 22nd February \ 1834. 



HINTS FOR COLLECTING WATER BIRDS. 



BY C. PARSONS, KSQ. 



AQUATIC birds are subject to so much variation from age and change 

 of season, that several specimens of each are essentially requisite to 

 form a complete collection. The annual changes many of them un- 

 dergo, have led to various errors in books on ornithology, but they are 

 better understood now, and have been accurately pointed out by late 

 writers ; it would, therefore, be useless to describe them minutely here. 

 I shall merely notice them, to show how many specimens of each "sort 



VOL. II. NO. IV. D 



