INTRODUCTION 33 



breeding season, when their numbers may in time 

 gradually increase. 



There can be no doubt, of course, that the great 

 alterations which have been made in many dis- 

 tricts, especially in reclaiming waste lands, have 

 literally destroyed the haunts of many of our 

 larger birds. These changes were inevitable ; but 

 when we bear in mind how attached individual 

 birds are to their accustomed haunts, we cannot 

 help feeling that if protection had been given at 

 the right time, some at least of these big birds 

 might have been preserved to us even if in a 

 semi-domesticated condition. We have surely the 

 familiar instance before us in so many continental 

 towns and villages, of the White Stork returning 

 year by year to rear its young on the houses and 

 mosques, or the Hoopoe stalking sedately on the 

 dunghills of the Arabs, regarded by the inhabitants 

 of these countries with no more curiosity than we 

 evince for the Swallows and Starlings nesting on 

 our own dwellings. We may rest assured that the 

 birds would stay with us as long as existence were 

 possible, if we left them unmolested. It is too late 

 now to retain many of our lost birds, but there are 

 others left that would appreciate protection, and 

 pass their harmless, nay, even useful lives in our 

 3 



