728 EEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1889. 



might seem that the destruction of fish-eating birds could be only favor- 

 able to the fish, it may be said that uutil much more is known regard- 

 ing the food of the birds, the exact relations existing between birds and 

 fish can not be determined. The gaunet is charged with devouring 

 large quantities of fish, and while the charge is undoubtedly true, it 

 would seem better for the present to protect the bird than to run any 

 risk of exterminating a species which on both sides of the water has de- 

 creased from 20 to 50 per cent, during the last twenty years. So nicely 

 are the economies of nature often adjusted, that interference with them 

 often leads to wholly unexpected results ; and it may well be that in de- 

 stroying fishes that feed upon the spawn of larger species, the sea-birds 

 far more than offset the harm they may do by devouring the young of 

 food-fishes. 



Although the many favors received during the voyage have been 

 duly credited in the report of Captain Collins, I would yet like to add 

 my own acknowledgments for the many favors received during the 

 voyage, especially to the Rev. M. Harvey, and to Commander Wake- 

 ham. 



In conclusion, I desire to thank Captain Collins, not only for his in- 

 dorsement of the plan at the outset, and for his personal aid and inter- 

 est in every detail of the varied work of collecting, but for the many 

 courtesies received at his hands during the two months' cruise of the 

 Grampus. 



