In Africa I have already observed an example of the disappearance of one species of bird[17]--every European takes a lot of trouble to get possession of some of the much-prized marabou feathers. Now, as long ago as the year 1900, at London, as a member of the International Conference for the Protection of Wild Animals, I did my best to obtain, at least on paper, some measure of protection for the marabou. This bird had not only quite won my heart by its extraordinary sagacity, but for the same reason it was a general favourite even in the times of classical antiquity. My efforts were in vain. And this will mean nothing more or less than the extermination of a large and handsome bird, which is comparatively easy to hunt down, and the rate of increase of which is exceptionally small. From all these points of view the support of the “League for the Protection of Bird Life in Germany” is to be warmly recommended. In England these reasons have brought about the formation of the “Society for the Preservation of the Wild Fauna of the Empire,” which devotes itself to the protection of animal life in general throughout the world-wide British dominions. [Illustration: XXIX. FELIS LEO, THE LION. ONE OF CORNWALLIS HARRIS’S SKETCHES, SHOWING HOW HALF A CENTURY AGO NUMBERS OF LIONS WERE TO BE FOUND TOGETHER IN BROAD DAYLIGHT IN SOUTH AFRICA. I HAVE SEEN SIMILAR GATHERINGS IN EAST AFRICA, NOTABLY ON JANUARY 25, 1897. HARRIS’S SKETCH SHOWS THE GREAT DEVELOPMENT OF THE MANE IN THE NOW NEARLY EXTINCT SOUTH AFRICAN LION, A CONTRAST TO THE ALL BUT MANELESS LIONS OF EAST AFRICA.]