17 



kad been gorged while the other was just disappearing. Otlu^r 

 eommon snakes, such as the racers and garters, must take their 

 share of eggs and young, as they have been taken and found to 

 contain eggs and remnants of birds. But, as stated before, the>^ 

 are not so eommon, and so do less damage. Just what per cent 

 of the damage is done by these enemies cannot be ascertained 

 ])ut no doubt it is considerable. 



The large wharf rat is found in considerable numbers in some 

 ]^laces, staying, during the day, in rude nests built in the thick- 

 tangle of grapevine. W'here this grows, and elsewhere in the forks 

 and hollows of trees. From here they issue at nightfall and be- 

 gin their ravages. In the morning, perhaps, one will find a nest 

 with young still in it, but each and every. one with the skull 

 broken open and the brains eaten out. At times this will be the 

 only part of the bird eaten, at others the whole body will be 

 knawed m pieces— which method of eating is characteristic of 

 those rodents, that occasionally indulge in a carnivorous diet. 

 Examination of the stomach contents throws practically no light 

 an the food eaten by the rats, as they prey at night, and by the 

 time they are gotten in the morning it is impossible to distinguish 

 anything definite, even so far as to state w^hether or not they 

 have been guilty of an avian diet. But that they certainly do 

 destroy eggs and birds can be seen from the characteristic rem- 

 nants that they leave. 



Doves have always been the symbol of gentleness and sub- 

 mission, yet when it comes to the point of defence they are gen- 

 erally brave and often daring. They will stay by the nest to the 

 last minute, then fly off with a great flutter, affecting a broken 

 wing and trying their best to decoy the intruder. If no notice is 

 taken of their first attempt they will return, and with a few flaps 

 of the wing lie sprawled out on a nearby limb. When attacked 

 by a small animal they will wait till it gets within range, and 

 then with a puffing sound made in the mouth, strike out with the 

 wing. These wing blows may be repeated in quick succession 

 and. no doubt, are quite effective in warding off trespassers. 



Dove hunting is considered good sport, especially where they 

 occur in large numbers. They are quick and strong of wing, 

 and extremely ''gamy," all of which adds to the true hunting 

 spirit. As they return from the north in the fall of the year they 



