302 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS 



Yarrell, " Br. B.," ed. 4, i. p. 490, note). These same 

 birds are scarce with us this autumn. In the garden 

 here there are no honeysuckle berries, and not a Parus 

 palustris have I in consequence seen at a bower just 

 opposite my window. 



Now that you remind me of it, I think that I too 

 have heard Titmousen cry in alarm when a Woodcock 

 has been on the wing. It must be an Owl they take 

 it for, and I know the Long-eared Owl preys at times 

 on small birds, so there is some ground for their 

 terror. 



I believe I told you of my seeing 11 Blackgame 

 (9 in one field) one day about a week ago. I have 

 seen nothing of any importance since. I expect to be 

 making my start about this day fortnight. 



Do you like eels ? I don't, but not exactly on the 

 ground assigned by a Yankee : " Do you think, sir, I'd 

 eat a darned damp snake ? ' 



Yours very truly, 



ALFRED NEWTON. 



P.S. I ought to have said that the venison turned 

 out an unmixed comfort. 



A.N. to Rev. A. C. Smith :- 



October 31, 1878. 



I fully expected that some of my friends would be 

 startled at the way I dealt with the Crows ; but I am 

 sorry to hear that you are distressed at it. I can only 

 say I was forced to it by the evidence, which I tried to 

 consider as fairly as possible. If I had any bias it was 

 to have things as they always have been, but the 

 evidence was too strong for me. Be sure, however, 

 that I shall not quarrel with those who don't see it as I 

 do, and, if I am not mistaken, to the "British Bird" 

 public the Black and Grey Crows will long stand as 

 distinct " species." 



I thought I had said enough about Rook shooting. 

 As a " sport " it has no charms for me, but rather 



