108 MARVELS OP THE ANIMAL WORLD 



offence to take their eggs during the nesting season. 

 Then, again, a very happy idea was that which 

 resulted in the placing of perches outside some of 

 the lighthouses situated in those regions where 

 birds are in the habit of passing during their 

 migratory passages, thereby enabling them to rest 

 and recover from the fatigue attending a long 

 flight across the ocean. Formerly, it was quite a 

 common occurrence for hundreds of the feathered 

 migrants to die from the result of beating themselves 

 against the glass which shields the attracting lights 

 but offers no foothold whereon they can come to 

 rest. Although the latter measure has been pro- 

 ductive of very good results, and has proved the 

 salvation of many birds, yet, after all, it is only of a 

 temporary benefit to them, for when once they have 

 passed beyond the sphere of its influence they still 

 have to reckon with other dangers, some of which 

 are unavoidable and in accordance with the laws 

 of Nature, while others are due to those human 

 beings who, with gun, trap, snare, or other implement, 

 take a heavy toll of their lives. In order to provide 

 a further means of protection, many Governments 

 and Societies have established animal sanctuaries 

 in various parts of the world wherein all kinds of 

 wild life may find a haven of refuge and live free 

 from molestation. 



The British Isles has for long ceased to be the 

 home of any large mammals (with the exception 

 of certain species of deer), and it may well be said 

 that even were any to remain there would be little 

 room for them to dwell in quietude and beyond 



