160 PRACTICAL ORNITHOLOGY. 



ledge, will be productive of beneficial results, inasmuch as they 

 will stimulate to increased exertion some of those young and 

 ardent naturalists who, to my certain knowledge, have derived 

 pleasure from even the rude attempts at observation of so hum- 

 ble an individual as myself. 



Let us now proceed to examine the Rapacious Birds of our 

 beloved country. On that bleak pinnacle of columnar green- 

 stone is perched the ever-watchful Sea-Eagle, while that mis- 

 named the Golden sails in widening circles over the summit of 

 the snow-patched hill. The shrill cry of the Kestrel issues 

 from the ivied crag, and the Sparrow Hawk glides like a me- 

 teor over the green thicket. Forms of beauty present them- 

 selves on every side, and behind them is a band of nocturnal 

 plunderers, which we must endeavour to see in more animated 

 postures than those assumed by them now, when the glare of 

 day, hateful to their eyes, is to us reflective of all the loveliness 

 of nature. 



