GULLS 103 



birds on fish life has become an important con- 

 sideration. 



I have just read an article in Country Life 

 of May 31st, 1919, entitled, " The Destruction 

 of Sea-birds." The author .writes: "In 1915 

 Dr. E. J. Allen stated, for many years past the 

 total quantity and the total value of the fish 

 landed in this country have both showed a steady 

 and continuous increase. Ever since the year 

 1890, when the industry of steam trawling was 

 already in full swing, the total landings have 

 doubled, both in quantity and quality." The 

 article continues : " During this period of thirty 

 years there has been an enormous increase in 

 most of our common sea-birds, and particularly 

 so during the last ten or fifteen years, and yet, 

 in spite of this, the numbers and value of the 

 fish landed 1 have steadily increased. We are, 

 therefore, forced to one conclusion, viz. that 

 whether these birds feed upon fishes or not, they 

 have not appreciably affected the supply." 



I have quoted this passage because, in one 

 form or another, it typifies the argument which 

 is always dished up by the biased bird protec- 

 tionist. 



This increase in our fish supply is, as a matter 



