INSTINCTS AND HABITS OF BIRDS. 211 



ago, on the Brighton Downs, squatting on the 

 ground like a hare in her form. It lay close, 

 and when disturbed only flew a short distance. 

 Their eggs have been found in rabbit burrows. 



One of my favourite birds is the kestrel, not 

 only for its graceful motions in the air, but for 

 its handsome shape and pretty plumage. It is 

 also a most useful bird to farmers, if they would 

 but think so, destroying mice, cockchafers, 

 grasshoppers, and many other injurious insects. 

 It is to be regretted that game-keepers destroy 

 this graceful bird, as they invariably do. Pro- 

 vidence creates nothing but for some good 

 purpose, and landlords and farmers are little 

 aware of their own interest when they cause the 

 destruction of animals which have been sent for 

 their benefit, especially those which feed on 

 grubs, mice, and insects for instance, the 

 kestrel, rooks, owls, moles, &c. This subject 

 cannot be too strongly impressed upon every 

 one I mean, the care which an Almighty 

 Creator has shown in the well-being of His 

 creatures. What wonderful skill is bestowed 

 upon the smallest animal and plant, as well as 

 the largest! This is the case with animals in 

 the sea as well as those on land. An eminent 



