A SEABIRDS’ ROCK. 
89 
deserted, and over the whole island the birds are so affrighted 
that hardly any appear where there were this morning myriads, 
and across the island there is a trail of the marauders ; here 
and there again, groups of little bird-corpses, ending at the 
landing-place, where a blood-stained dead gannet lies stretched 
on the rock, left by the slayer, around wfliose neck I sin- 
cerely wish it could be hung, like that of the fateful albatross, 
beside a sickening pool formed of the shells and contents of a 
large number of eggs smashed during almost every stage of 
incubation. Who these chick-smashers were I know not, but 
they must be followed by the bitterest contempt of every true 
sportsman and naturalist. If they be in Her Majesty’s service, 
so flagrant an infringement of the Wild Birds’ Preservation Act 
can hardly pass without due notice from the authorities.” 
This admirable account of a most disgraceful action is made 
more real to us by a number of illustrations in the Daily Graphic, 
which give a very vivid idea of the disgusting scene of cruel 
and cowardly slaughter. 
The intense indignation which will be excited in every reader 
of Nature Notes at the atrocious conduct described above, 
must not be allowed to evaporate in stormy feeling or strong 
language. The Selborne Society would not be worthy of its repu- 
tation and would be neglecting its mission, if it failed to do all in 
its power in assisting to obtain evidence for corroboration of the 
account given above and to punish the ruffians whose conduct 
is so strongly and rightly condemned. It is to be hoped that 
they do not in any way belong to the Royal Navy, but, if un- 
fortunately they do, that will be only a stronger reason for their 
being sharply taught that it is not allowed to bring disgrace with 
impunity upon that noble service. The well-deserved fate of 
the wretched Lieutenant who wantonly dislodged the Logan 
Rock shows that the Admiralty can sometimes visit such 
offences with condign punishment. That the miscreants had 
the costume and accent of gentlemen adds to their guilt, and 
is another proof, if proof were wanted, of the homely saying 
that “ a well-dressed blackguard is the biggest blackguard 
of all.” 
[At the last Council meeting of the Selborne Society, held on June nth, after 
the above article was in type, the opinions expressed in it were thoroughly endorsed 
by the Members of Council present, and unanimous resolutions were passed that 
communications should be immediately made : (1) to the Admiralty, directing their 
attention to the incident ; (2) to the local constabulary, asking if a prosecution had 
been instituted; (3) to Mr. Bryce, M.P., Vice-President of the Selborne Society, and 
other members of Parliament, asking them to bring the matter before the House 
of Commons at the earliest possible opportunity. We learn that questions have 
already been placed on the notice paper of the House of Commons by Sir Hussey 
Vivian and others, of their intention to ask the Secretary of State for War whether 
he will cause inquiries to be made as to the persons by whom these infractions of 
the law were perpetrated; and whether, if no power exists to punish them by 
military law, he will cause prosecutions to be instituted against them. 
At the moment of going to press we read the ludicrously inadequate reply of 
Mr. Brodrick to Mr. Webster’s questions on the subject. The offence is admitted, 
excuses are made for the culprits, and they are to be “ reprimanded” ! The matter 
must not end here. —Eds.] 
