NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 323 



But apart from these considerations, it must be admitted that 

 the destruction of certain groups of liirds tends to derange that 

 nicely-bahinced harmony which is everywhere apparent in the 

 dominion of Nature. Ample proof of this has been experienced in 

 our own country, where the banishment of owls has been known to 

 result in an inordinate increase of the various species of field mice, 

 which constitute the ordinary food of these useful birds, and also 

 in other countries, where the disappearance of insectivorous species 

 has been followed by insect plagues — these examples, and many 

 others which could be cited, tending to shew that Nature's plans 

 are, at least, incapable of amelioration through man's interference. 



To advocate the protection of eagles and falcons, therefore, for 

 a time at least, would appear to us to be but a reasonable duty ; 

 and to influence our landed proprietors, with whom the power 

 chiefly lies, in their favour, we would regard as only a just com- 

 pensation for injuries already inflicted. It is certainly a matter of 

 regret that some of our Scottish proprietors should actually have 

 lent their influence against the protection of bird life. From these 

 nothing can be expected but an unwilling obedience to laws ah'eady 

 enacted for the preservation of certain maritime species that throw 

 themselves entirely on the mercy of man during the breeding 

 season; and naturalists may indeed congratulate themselves that 

 the recent opposition brought to bear against the passing of the 

 " Act for the Preservation of Sea Birds " — a humane and salutary 

 law — was signally defeated. 



We still cling to the hope that similar enactments may yet be 

 framed for the protection of land birds, from the soaring eagle to 

 the timid thrush; and until this takes place, proprietors would 

 earn the gratitude of all true naturalists by resolving to discontinue 

 the deadly practice of exterminating what their keepers have 

 branded as vermin, and let our woods, fields, and mountain sides 

 regain what has now for many years been wanting to give a charm 

 to some of the finest, and, at the same time, the wildest scenery 

 in the British Islands. 



In a volume of 220 pages now before us, relating to the "Game 

 Laws of the principal States of the United States and Canada," 

 we find that Section VI. of the laws of the State of New York pro- 

 vides for the protection of a large number of land birds, including 

 the eagle, fish hawk, night hawk, whip-poor-will, swallow, oriole, 

 woodpecker, bobolink, or any other harmless bird. The penalty for 



