Birds. 2951 



Herring Gull (Lams fuscus). Parties come sometimes to the 

 Trent and stay a few days, during which time they keep constantly 

 flying low over the surface of the stream, but I have never observed 

 them capture fish as at sea. 



Fulmar Petrel (Procellaria glacialis). One killed, October 25, 

 1847, on some arable land near Melbourne Pool. It first alighted 

 on an island in the middle of the water. 



Storm Petrel (Procellaria pelagica). Has been shot, but not recently. 



John Joseph Briggs. 



King's Newton, Melbourne, Derbyshire. 



Unnecessary destruction of rare Birds, — I beg leave to join in Mr. Willmot's hu- 

 mane and excellent remonstrance against the unnecessary destruction of rare birds 

 (Zool. 2178). Ought not every true ornithologist to wish for the increase and multi- 

 plication of those species which are rarely met with, in the hope that they may extend 

 themselves, and afford pleasure and gratification to some brother-ornithologist in a 

 different part of the kingdom ? For my part I am always loath to shoot a rare bird, 

 unless it should happen to be unknown to me, and would much rather examine it, or 

 watch its habits, if practicable, by the aid of a telescope. — Archibald Jerdon ; Moss- 

 bum) ord, August 9, 1850. 



On the unnecessary destruction of rare Birds. — I have recently read with much 

 satisfaction the remarks of Mr. J. P. Willmot (Zool. 2878) on the unnecessary de- 

 struction of rare birds, having myself also for a long time regretted to notice the 

 frequent announcements (as if a meritorious feat had been performed) of the disap- 

 pointment of attempts apparently made by feathered visitants from foreign countries 

 to naturalize themselves among us. In addition to the two instances specified by Mr. 

 Willmot, I would refer to the wholesale slaughter of waxwings iu various parts of our 

 island, recorded in the ' Zoologist' for April last, of which the statements occupy more 

 than three pages, namely, from 2766 to 2770. In like manner, whenever a hoopoe is 

 observed (which appears to be no very unusual occurrence) it is eagerly pursued, and 

 should it fortunately escape death on its first arrival upon our shores, there is small 

 probability that it will be permitted to accomplish its purpose of breeding here, and 

 readers of the ' Zoologist' may recollect several accounts of such captures. Not only 

 have different causes effected a very sensible diminution of our indigenous birds, even 

 to the total, or nearly total, extinction of some kinds, but that diminution is, to a cer- 

 tainty, still iu progress. It seems, therefore, far more becoming in students of Natu- 

 ral History to endeavour to supply our unavoidable losses by the introduction of new 

 races, rather than remorselessly and wantonly to wage war against all strangers which 

 throw themselves upon our hospitality. I am not without hope of influencing some 

 who may peruse these lines, by reminding them of higher considerations. The Al- 

 mighty Creator has indeed granted toman the dominion over all other animals, but in 

 order that he may use, not that he should abuse, them ; and I would ask those whom 

 the above remarks may concern, whether they have meditated on the meaning and ap- 

 plication of St. Matthew, x. 29 ? — " Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing ? and 

 one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.'' Compare also the 



