HORNING TO THE SOURCE OF THE BURE 175 



white on the beak it had red there are thousands of these 

 birds in South Africa." But was it likely to suppose that 

 anyone who had travelled (presumably for sport, but perhaps 

 with other aims in view as well) in many countries could 

 possibly mistake a cock pheasant for a water-crow ? or even a 

 water-hen for a cock pheasant as it flew " hollering " (keepers' 

 expression evidently crowing) over the river between 6 and 

 7 p.m. during the second week in September. In this case 

 the magistrates rightly convicted. 



In the summer of 1891 there was a great public outcry in 

 East Anglia, supported by the Corporation of the City of 

 London and elsewhere, and mass meetings were convened in 

 London, Norwich, Yarmouth and Lowestoft, and an Associa- 

 tion was formed styling itself " The Norfolk Broads Protection 

 Association of London." Funds showered in from all sides, 

 but the result of the movemeDt was, without doubt, a waste 

 of time, labour and money. The association selected a weak 

 case and one of the most difficult to fight that they could 

 possibly have chosen. It was known as the Hickling Broad 

 case, and (using the words of one of the speakers), " Those 

 who indulged in the harmless amusement of inhaling at their 

 leisure God's fresh air and the breeze of Heaven " are to-day 

 thankful to think that the objects which the association 

 claimed were not upheld. An appeal was attempted, but the 

 majority who gave their support to the movement were so 

 disgusted with the miserable fiasco that they would have no 

 more on't, and the whole thing practically ended in smoke. 

 That more protection is required is an admitted fact, and if 

 a movement could be made by which rules and regulations 

 could be enforced on the miles of waterway and broads, such 

 a system of government would be better for all parties alike. 

 What is really required is an Act of Parliament on all fours 

 with the present Thames Conservancy, but such a blessing 

 seems a forlorn hope. 



It is a daily occurrence in Broadlaud to see large quantities 

 of fish rotting on the banks which should have either been 

 returned to their native element or given to poor people 



