Game Preserving in Spain 165 
It is sad to have to record that of late years, owing to the 
extension of the custom of game preserving in Spain, war of ex- 
termination has been declared in many places against the Eagles, 
Falcons, Kites, Harriers and Hawks. That some of these do 
some damage among the Partridges and rabbits is undeniable, but 
the majority of them habitually feed upon the snakes and huge 
lizards which are the deadly foes of all winged game and likewise 
devour their eggs. Hence in no country should the birds of prey 
be more encouraged and protected than in Spain. 
But the greatest enemies of all game, both winged and four- 
footed, in Spain are the numerous predaceous animals which in 
some districts literally swarm. 3esides lynx, foxes and badgers 
there are wild cats, ichneumons, genets, martens, polecats, stoats 
and weasels, to name only some at random. [| mention this 
subject here as, on the chance of this book falling into the hands 
of those interested in game preservation in Spain, they will possibly 
be led to devote their energies to the destruction of the four-footed 
marauders and to enlist the services of the Eagles, Kites and 
Harriers in keeping within bounds the deadly ravages of the 
reptilia. 
