178 PARTRIDGES 



fowl, dodo, moa, and a hundred other 

 lost or vanishing forms of bird-life, bear 

 abundant testimony. Happily, however, 

 for what remains of our native fauna in 

 this country, the last fifty years have seen 

 a marked change for the better in our 

 attitude towards the wild life around us. 

 A new and wholesome interest in nature 

 and natural history has accompanied the 

 advance of education, and found favour 

 with the general public, till lately caring 

 nothing for these things and viewing 

 them only with the indifference born of 

 ignorance. 



The spread of a better feeling among 

 all classes and the useful legislation of 

 the Wild Birds' Protection Act have done 

 good work, and though the damage 

 wrought in the past is in large measure 

 irreparable, for the bustard and the 

 spoonbill are gone for ever, nor may 

 we again hope for the graceful form of 

 the kite or the harrier to gladden the 

 eye on a country ramble ; though the 

 ruthless collector, indefatigable in his 



