166 A FALSE HYPOTHESIS. 
This hypothesis, supported with much wit and ability, and ap- 
parently grounded on facts and dates, rests wholly on one basis, and if 
it fails, crumbles to the ground. 
It supposes that the birds have been efticaciously protected by the 
law, and that, in twelve years, they have been so able to multiply as 
to become masters of the field, the tyrants and exterminators of the 
useful insect-species, and that, in fine, the latter have unfortunately 
almost disappeared. 
To this three replies may be given :— 
Ist. The birds have not multiplied. We must not go for the truth 
to the Bulletin des Lois (the Statute-book), but to fowlers and bird- 
catchers. And they reply :—“So many birds have been destroyed 
since the enactment of the law for their benefit, that in certain countries 
sport has actually become impossible, because there are no more to 
kill.” 
In Provence, in the very localities where the gnats are insupport- 
able (and the birds, therefore, most precious),—in the Camargue,—the 
sportsmen, in default of edible birds, now kill the swallows. They 
place themselves on the watch at the points where the winged legions 
pass in files, and slaughter several victims at one discharge. 
2nd. The insects have by no means been destroyed by the birds. 
Ask of the agriculturists what species has disappeared. Let them search 
ever so keenly, and they will not find that a solitary species has 
diminished. On the contrary, in the years referred to we have seen 
them increase, and grow, and flourish, and nothing prevents them from 
making war at their pleasure on the invisible animalcules. 
Not an insect-species is wanting; but, on the contrary, some careful 
observers tell us, in their books on Hunting or Natural History, that 
numerous species of birds will soon become extinct. 
3rd. Birds are not, as the author of the memoir calls them, “ un- 
intelligent assassins.” Far from this, they kill by preference the most 
injurious insects. The time at which they carry on a really murderous 
war is when they are feeding their young. But what do they feed 
