202 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



cat — is petted and fed, and given a secure shelter from which 

 it may emerge in the evening to spread destruction among the 

 feathered tribe. The difference between the two can be 

 summed up in a few words — only three or four birds of prey 

 hunt birds when they can procure rodents for food, while a 

 cat seldom touches mice if she can procure birds or young 

 poultry. A cat has been known to kill 20 young chickens in 

 a day, which is more than most raptorial birds destroy in a 



Pectoral Rail. 



Ufetime. That^the beneficial species of Hawks and Ow^ls will 

 eventually be protected there is not the shghtest doubt, for 

 when the farmer is convinced that they are his friends he will 

 demand their protection." — " Year-Book of the tJ.S. Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture — Hawks and Owls," 1895, p. 215. 



While submitting a plea for the protection of birds that 

 give their quota of help in the subjection of animals termed 



