THE EXTINCTION OF WILD ANIMALS 223 



very last mode; but still fewer, I firmly believe, 

 would countenance it, did they once understand what 

 the traffic involved. 



As to birds-of-Paradise, the best skins used to 

 be had easily for twelve or fourteen shillings ; but 

 the price has risen now to twenty-five or thirty 

 shillings, owing to the growing scarcity of the birds. 

 The most coveted species (Paradisea apoda) dwells 

 in New Guinea and the Papuan Islands ; but it is 

 impossible to obtain such fine specimens as were 

 common a few years ago, because the males are all 

 killed for the market before they reach the age of 

 three or four years, when their plumage attains per- 

 fection. The German Government have set us a 

 good example by decreeing the strict preservation 

 of the bird-of-Paradise in their territory in New 

 Guinea; perhaps it is too much to hope that the 

 British and Dutch Governments will follow suit. 



In making appeals for mercy to be shown towards 

 dwindling races of creatures, it is insincere to base 

 them on the grounds of the sacredness of animal 

 life. Let us be perfectly honest in this matter, and 

 explain that the real reason for keeping strange or 

 beautiful animals in existence is solely and simply 

 that this world may lose nothing that amuses or 



