-»i The Preservation of African Game 



pass over the densely populated districts, the forces of 

 electricity and other modern inventions being directed 

 against them. 



This state of things is merely a survival from the 

 days when mankind looked no further than the morrow, 

 as is still the case with the negroes. We in Germany 

 have learned at least to spare the singing-birds. German 

 sentiment could not bear to see them injured. But, before 

 we can venture to appeal to our southern neighbours to 

 give them a free passage on their way to us, we must 

 learn to be more merciful ourselves to the gradually 

 diminishing ranks of our own wild birds and beasts. 



We destroy our woodcock now, both before and after 

 their spring migration ; while the thrush, which in the 

 autumn suddenly becomes transformed into the fieldfare, 

 falls a victim at all times to those snares which are 

 justly proscribed by sporting rules on German territory. 



In all cases in which we imao^ine that certain interests 

 are being injured, we proceed, in entire disregard of the 

 overwhelming world of non-sportsmen and in opposition 

 to all lovers and students of nature, to rob our fauna 

 of their greatest treasures. 



A pair of storks afford pleasure and interest to 

 thousands ; yet, if a stork kills a few leverets, the sports- 

 man punishes it with death, in entire disregard of the 

 feelings of other people. 



So it is with sea-eagles, buzzards, kites, the beautiful 

 kestrel, our fine owls, the splendid crested grebes (which 

 allow you to come within a few yards of them in your 

 boat), the herons, which thrive better on our lakes than 



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