140 FRANCIS ORPEN MORRIS 



hibited by law, and a fine of ^5 imposed on any 

 person found guilty of the practice. That a similar 

 fine be imposed on the use of loaded guns on 

 Sunday. That a license of i be required for every 

 cage of less than one foot square. That a license 

 at a cost of .5 be required to be obtained by every 

 one dealing in live birds. That a license of 10 

 be paid for the use of clap-nets. That a heavy 

 license-duty be paid for the use of guns of bore 

 beyond a certain width." Such were some of his 

 desiderata in the way of legislation. 



Among the chief breeding-places for sea-birds 

 that frequent the east coast in summer are the 

 lofty cliffs between Scarborough and Bridlington. 

 Here in the months of May and June the sea-fowl 

 may be seen in myriads, and the sight is one that 

 will repay those who visit the locality. Ever since 

 1830 a systematic destruction of these birds had 

 been going on. It was about that year when the 

 first steamer came to Scarborough, which was hired 

 by parties of twelve to thirty "gentlemen," who shot 

 countless numbers of sea-birds under the cliffs. 

 From that time onwards things proceeded from 

 bad to worse, until in 1867 the birds were becoming 

 so reduced in numbers that it was absolutely neces- 

 sary that something should be done, if they were 

 not to be exterminated altogether. 



News of what w r ent on constantly reached the 

 ears of the bird-friend who dwelt at Nunburn- 

 holme. One of his correspondents told him that 

 in that same year he had witnessed wholesale de- 



