28 ri{EsiDF.>'TV ADDKESS. 



inuumerable, but, owing- to their fertility, they have hitherto 

 successfully contended with them. AVhen however man steps 

 in and the balance is destroyed, when the fish are cut off before 

 their otherwise allotted time, then their numbers dwindle, and 

 it becomes necessary to consider whether some limitation should 

 not be set also to our sea fisheiies. Moreover, it is to be hoped, 

 that in spite of the' subordinate position held by science in our 

 aquaria, they may yet conduce to give us a definite knowledge of 

 the habits and the spawning times of fishes, and when this has 

 been accurately acquired, if not before, it may be further antici- 

 pated that increased intelligence, and a wise political economy, 

 may impose a close time for the scaly inhabitants of the sea, as 

 effectually at least, as it already more or less has done for the 

 feathei'cd denizens of the air. These reflections point to the 

 paramount importance of preserving and of providing extensive 

 nurseries. In our midst, happily, we have the good fortune to 

 have the Leazes Park, the Town Moor, and the beautiful grounds 

 of Sir William Ai'mstrong, C.B,, in Jesmond Dene. Let us hope, 

 that before long the almoners of the former will be incited to 

 extend this well arranged retreat, and with an enlarged Leazes 

 Park, and the formation of other recreation grounds, on the out- 

 skirts of the Moor, the secluded breeding places will be so exten- 

 sive that at no distant period our townsmen will not only gain 

 delight and instruction in watching our feathered inhabitants, 

 but also tluit their health may be vivified thereby. 



Respecting the preservation of sea birds, by order of H.M. 

 ("hief Secretai-y of State, from the Home Office, dated November 

 27th, 1876, the time has been extended, during which the kill- 

 ing, wounding, or taking of sea bii'ds is prohibited by Act of 

 Parliament, making such prohibition, within tlie limits of the 

 County of Northumberland, extend from the first of April to the 

 first of September every year, instead of the first of August, as 

 prescribed in tlic Act. There is some doubt as to the effect for 

 gootl of this extension of the close time. For the preservation 

 of the late broods is of minor importance, in comparison with the 

 harm wliich is done by the taking of the eggs in the ciuly part 

 of the season, and th«' wanton destruction of the young birds 



