THE EXTINCTION OF RACES. 353 



and personally we entertain the strongest conviction 

 that it is in this way very often that the ultimate 

 extinction of certain races is brought about. This 

 theory, we need hardly say, may be right or other- 

 wise : that is as may be ; we have, however, ventured 

 to say what we think upon the subject. Certain it is, 

 that numerous races of creatures have lived upon this 

 earth, and from one cause or another have been 

 withdrawn from the sum of animated existence ; we 

 know not how nor why, nor wherefore. It is not 

 uncommon to hear men jumping to the conclusion 

 that they were exterminated by natural enemies: nor 

 shall we even venture to affirm, or deny, the possibi- 

 lities of this having been so ; all we can say is, as we 

 have before observed in the preceding pages of this 

 chapter, where what are classed as vermin, by game- 

 keepers and others, multiply unchecked, according- to 

 the order of nature, without the interference of man ; 

 game of every kind, in some wild countries, seems 

 to swarm in unwonted prosperity. * Then we hear it 

 stated "It was man, ruthless man, that destroyed it." 

 Unfortunately there is no doubt that this is so in 

 certain cases, notable instances of which we have not 

 failed to cite in these pages; but then, in the case of 

 bird life, which is the immediate subject of our con- 

 sideration at present, we have endeavoured to show, 



* In expressing ourselves thus, we desire to guard against being 

 taken to disapprove of game preservation. We are, let us straightly 

 say, in favour of preserving every species of property. What we refer 

 to is therefore to be regarded as an objection to the over-preservation, 

 not the moderate, and laudable preservation of game. But we are 

 opposed to the system of extermination of the wild birds and creatures 

 which Providence has placed in our midst because in our short sight- 

 edness we deem them useless, or injurious. We venture therefore to 

 believe that were " vermin " to be totally exterminated, we should soon 

 have cause to regret it, and to wish to have them back again. 



VOL. III. 23 



