144 FRANCIS ORPEN MORRIS 



that there was a likelihood of several species being 

 practically exterminated in a short time from that 

 part of the coast. It was indeed full time that 

 something should be done to stay the murderous 

 cruelty of the thing. 



Under the direction of the first promoters of the 

 association for the protection of the birds sub- 

 scriptions were invited and circulars drawn up 

 giving some particulars of what went on along the 

 coast. Influential support was quickly given to the 

 movement, which grew apace. Public opinion was 

 stirred on the question, and ultimately Mr. Chris- 

 topher Sykes, the popular member for the East 

 Riding of Yorkshire, undertook to introduce a Bill 

 into Parliament, which he shortly afterwards did, 

 and carried it triumphantly through the House of 

 Commons. Mr. Frank Buckland, Mr. J. E. Harting, 

 and others " aided and abetted " the passing of this 

 much-needed measure, while the part which Mr. 

 Morris took in the movement was mainly with his 

 pen. His numerous letters to the Times and other 

 papers appeared in rapid succession, and told 

 strongly in favour of the remedial measures being 

 applied. 



No movement of this kind could be set going 

 without raising opposition in some quarter or 

 another, and the name of F. O. Morris was some- 

 times held up to something, perhaps, worse than 

 ridicule by the boatmen about Flamborough, who 

 fancied that one means of their livelihood would be 

 lessened if the birds were protected by law. It was 



