I=^f^:E^T IX. 



Insect and Yermin^destroying 

 Birds. 



" The old saying, that ' a little knowledge is a dangerous 

 thing,' is exemplified in the way our Hawks and Owls are 

 looked upon by a large majority of mankind. The farmer sees 

 a Hawk strike a fowl which has wandered from the farm-yard ; 

 the sportsman, while planning the capture of a covey of Quail, 

 finds the mutilated remains of a game bird, and feels sure 

 it is the unlawful prey of a thieving Owl. Without further 

 investigation both men condemn birds of prey as a class, and 

 lose no opportunity to destroy them and their eggs and 

 young. 



" The ill-feeling has become so deep-rooted that it is 

 instinctive even in those who have never seen any depreda- 

 tions. How are we to account for this hatred against birds of 

 prey by the class of men who should be the first to clamour 

 for their protection ? The prejudice is largely due to lack of 

 discrimination. Since they know that Hawks and Owls 

 attack poultry, they do not stop to think that these depreda- 

 tions may be made by a few species only, but make a sweeping 

 condemnation of the whole family. The reasoning is much 

 the same as that of an Indian or frontiersman, who, being 



