Penguins. 67 



When the Act of Parliament for the 

 Protection of Sea-birds was passing 

 through the House of Commons in 

 1870, some verses appeared in the 

 Times about this very thing verses 

 which went far to draw attention to 

 the stupidity, as well as the cruelty, 

 of destroying the birds. One or two 

 of the verses ran thus 



" To straining eye and listening ear 

 In heaven and earth no signs appear 

 Whereby bewildered bark may steer. 



" But suddenly a voice is heard 

 The wailing cry of wild sea-bird 

 And all the sailor's heart is stirred. 



41 The Flamborough Pilots ! ' is his cry, 

 ' Beware, beware ! The cliffs are nigh ! 

 Turn the ship's head, and seaward fly ! ' 

 * * 



" The rocks with deadly echoes ring, 

 With rifles that destruction bring 

 To warning voice, and wafting wing. 



" Oh, cruel sound ! Oh, piteous sight I 

 The gentle pilots of the night 

 Are murdered in the morning light. 



