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The Ottawa Naturalist. [August 



averag-e about two skulls each, with other bones and fur. The 

 number of skulls shows that during that time the owl had des- 

 troyed about three hundred mice. 



It is probable that nearly all owls and hawks will take birds 

 if they can get them ; but, that they habitually do so, is sufficiently 

 disproved by the above mentioned methods of observation. Another 

 g-ood result which would follow a more general Study of birds, 

 would be a lessening of the Wanton destruction of their nests and 

 eggs. The habit of egg collecting was formerly very j^revalent 

 and is still sufficiently common to be a serious factor in the destruc- 

 tion of birds. It is unfortunate that many of our most valuable 

 insectivorous and song birds are those which, Irom their habit of 

 nesting near towns and in accessible places, are particularly liable 

 to this form of persecution. The eggs of Bluebirds, Yellow 

 Warblers, Goldfinches, Catbirds, Phoebes, Kingbirds, Wood- 

 peckers, Swallows, and in fact of all those birds which are most 

 valuable and worthy of protection, still find their way in large 

 numbers to the pockets and other receptacles of the ubiquitous 

 small boy. It should be the duty of every teacher to do what he 

 can to prevent this. It is not sufficient alone to point out that it 

 is against the law and punishable by fine or imprisonment, because, 

 in order to make such a law effective, it is necessary to create a 

 popular sentiment in its favor. Probably the most effective way 

 to create such a sentiment is to call attention to the economic value 

 of birds. 



Aside from these very practical considerations, however, the 

 study of birds has an educational value which is probably not 

 exceeded by that of any other department of Nature Study. It 

 should be borne in mind that the object of such studies is not the 

 acquisition of technical knowledge ; but, as Dr. Fletcher has 

 pointed out, " to train the mind " and to aid the learner to become 

 " self-dependent." That is indeed a valuable system of education 

 which, while accomplishing these important ends in the best 

 possible way, also brings the student into close, even intimate, 

 contact with his natural surroundings. If we '' in the love of 

 Nature hold communion with her visible forms," we have an 

 unfailing source of interest and recreation whii^h^fi-Q^ priceless 

 value to those possessing it. / ^^^l*-— 'S'*^^ X \ 



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