148 FRANCIS ORPEN MORRIS 



ordinarily, I am aware, the staple of your columns." 

 The lines were headed " A Plea fon the Sea-Birds," 

 and the first stanza ran thus : 



" Stay now thine hand ! 

 Proclaim not man's dominion 

 Over God's works by strewing rocks and sand 

 With sea-birds' blood-stained plumes and broken 

 pinion." 



RICHARD WILTON. 



A perceptible increase in the number of the birds 

 along the rocky coast around Flamborough Head 

 soon followed the passing of this much-needed and 

 humane Act of Parliament. The very birds them- 

 selves seemed, as it were, to know that the law was 

 now on their side, for they became more trustful 

 in their ways as they were more secure from danger. 

 Their lifelong and devoted friend would not, how- 

 ever, have been himself had he for a moment 

 rested satisfied with what Parliament had granted. 

 No sooner was the Sea-Birds Act passed than he 

 proceeded to take steps to have a like benefit ex- 

 tended to all British birds. 



In the February following he formulated a short 

 circular in connection with what he styled an 

 "Association for the Protection of British Birds," 

 in which he drew attention to the widespread 

 feeling that existed showing that something should 

 be done to prevent the otherwise inevitable and 

 speedy destruction of many species. Letters had 

 come to him from all side s urging him to con- 

 tinue the campaign further. The following from 



