1636 The Zoologist— April, 1869. 



Christian, Lord Tredegar, General Seymour, Dr. Percival Wright, 

 Rev. H. B. Tristram, Mr. F. H. Salvin and Mis.s Burdett Coutts. 



The Chairman, after some prefatory remarks, stated that there were 

 three points on which he especially wished to have the opinion of the 

 meeting. First, whether the eggs of sea-fowl ought to be protected 

 as well as the birds ; secondli/, whether any and what provision 

 should be made in cases where the young birds were taken for food ; 

 and, thirdly, at what dates respectively should the " close-time " 

 commence and end. Before proceeding to discuss these points, how- 

 ever, two resolutions would be submitted to the meeting. 



Professor Newton then moved " That this meeting being convinced 

 that the sea-fowl are rapidly decreasing in number on all parts of the 

 coast, owing to the practice of destroying them at all periods of the 

 year, feels persuaded that legislative action is necessary to ensure 

 their preservation." 



This resolution was seconded by the Hon. W. O. Stanley, and 

 carried unanimously. 



Mr. F. Buckland, seconded by the Rev. F. O. Morris, then moved 

 " That this meeting recognizing the utility of the said sea-fowl, 

 protests against the cruelty of killing them during the breeding 

 lime, and pledges itself to support the Bill introduced by Mr. Sykes 

 for their preservation at that season." 



This was also carried unanimously. 



The three points referred to by the Chairman were then discussed 

 seriatim. 



Professor Newton considered that with regard to these, there was 

 ground for much difference of opinion. He himself would object to 

 a clause providing for the protection of eggs, as under ordinary- 

 circumstances the taking of them conduced but little to the diminu- 

 tion of the number of sea-birds. In ])arls of the country with which 

 he was acquainted persons farmed out meres for certain rents to others, 

 who were entitled to the eggs laid thereon. It was plain that the 

 owners of these meres would not do anything which would cut off the 

 supply from which they derived their revenue. Certain cases should, 

 of course, be decided according to the character of seasons and 

 localities. He might mention that the eggs of the black-headed gull 

 were frequently sent to London, and sold as plovers' eggs. As re- 

 garded killing birds for food, that did not prevail much in England, 

 but in Scotland and the islands near it it would be utterly impossible 

 to try to prevent the people taking these birds for purposes of suste- 



