SOME THREATENED EXOTIC SPECIES 293 



General Assembly. In this it was pointed out that 

 many birds were threatened with extermination, 

 from increase of population and the attacks of 

 various predaceous animals lately introduced into 

 the islands. It was suggested that the only 

 ejfRcacious way to preserve these interesting birds 

 from extinction was to set apart certain small 

 islands for their benefit, and to place them under 

 strict protective regulations. What success has 

 attended the endeavour we are unable to say ; but 

 it is a step in the right direction, and an example 

 that might be copied with advantage in many other 

 parts of the world. 



In conclusion, we may briefly allude to those 

 curious birds, the Penguins (Spheniscidae) — all of 

 them inhabitants of the Southern Hemisphere, 

 from the tropics southwards to the margin of the 

 Antarctic ice sheet. They breed in colonies, some of 

 these containing many thousands of birds, on the 

 lonely islands of the Southern Seas. These Penguin 

 " rookeries " are, however, becoming much reduced 

 in numbers by the wanton slaughter practised by 

 the crews of vessels sailing on these remote waters. 

 Upon the land Penguins are helpless enough, and 

 may be killed with the greatest ease, being unable 

 to fly. It is simply scandalous that such a curious 



