SOME THREATENED EXOTIC SPECIES 285 



surely diplomacy need not be very severely taxed 

 to secure a remedy. Nearer home, in Central 

 Europe, much needless slaughter of birds goes on 

 almost unchecked, although here again we think 

 some steps have already been taken, and doubtless 

 better protection will come in time if naturalists 

 will but bestir themselves. North America, again, 

 where so many birds have decreased in numbers, 

 is sadly lacking in protective measures, especially 

 in the Southern States ; and here we may suggest 

 a fertile sphere of usefulness for the American 

 Ornithologists' Union. 



It is often suggested, not only in popular books 

 on natural history, but in others of more scientific 

 pretensions, that species gTadually retire before 

 advancing persecution or colonisation, and the 

 hope is often fondly cherished that threatened 

 species seek remoter and quieter haunts as civil- 

 isation advances or as enemies increase. But no 

 greater mistake could be made. The individuals of 

 any species inhabiting certain areas will continue 

 so to do notwithstanding persecution or advancing 

 civilisation, until every one is directly or indirectly 

 exterminated. But we are told this species or 

 that is retiring into less populated localities, 

 finding or seeking retreats remote from man and 



