Birds. 



8129 



I am well aware that nothing but the extraordinary interest that 

 attaches to this bird warrants me in occupying so much space. It 

 must be remembered that it is not merely a matter with which orni- 

 thologists only are concerned, but is one of far higher and more 

 general importance. " A consideration of such instances of modern 

 partial or total extinctions," says Professor Owen (loc. cit.), in reference 

 to this very case, " may best throw light on, and suggest the truest 

 notions of, the causes of ancient extinctions." If this be not sufficient 

 excuse for me, I must urge the great difficulty I have had in con- 

 densing the numerous particulars of information which Mr. Wolley's 

 labours have placed at my disposal. It would have been far easier to 

 have been more diffuse. In Iceland all, with but one exception, were 

 eager to tell us all they knew, and that in the most careful manner. 

 I have already mentioned several persons from whom we obtained 

 valuable intelligence, and, unjust as it may appear to the rest, I must 

 forbear from naming more. The chief authorities both in church and 

 state afforded us every facility, and all orders and degrees of men and 

 women followed their example. From the Governor, surrounded by 

 the comforts of modern civilization, through every grade to the un- 

 happy leper, dwelling, as his ancestors may have done centuries ago, 

 amid filth and scarcity, we received an amount of attention, of which 

 it is difficult to express the full value without seeming guilty of exag- 

 geration. Alas ! that it is left to me only to make this statement ! 

 To all those concerned, then, I have to return our acknowledgments, 

 and to no one more than to our honest and intelligent guide and inter- 

 preter Geir Zoega, of Reykjavik, who for more than two months was 

 our constant and willing attendant. 



Whether the gare-fowl be already extirpated or still existing in some 

 unknown spot, it is clear that its extinction, if not already accom- 

 plished, must speedily follow on its rediscovery. I have therefore to 

 beseech all who may be connected with the matter to do their utmost 

 that such rediscovery should be turned to the best account. If in this 



trouble to inquire about it, he is satisfied that the statement originated in error. I must 

 add further, that the reported instance of a bird taken near Marlow, in Buckingham- 

 shire, on the estate of Sir William Clayton, first publi*hed, I think, by Dr. Fleming 

 (Brit. Anim. p. 130), on Mr. Bullock's authority, seems to me very unlikely. On the 

 other hand, I may mention that Sir William Milner tells me that within the last few 

 years he has become possessed of a fine great auk, which he has reason to believe was 

 killed in the Hebrides. This bird, I am informed, was found to have been stuffed 

 with turf. 



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