232 



ELEMENTS OF AGRICULTURE 



CHAPTER XLIV.— Birds of Prey 



218. Prejudice Against Hawks and Owls. — We come 

 now to a class of birds a part of whose food consists of 

 small animals and birds. They are known as birds of 

 prey. The birds of prey in which we are interested are 

 generally known as hawks and owls, and of both there 

 are a number of different kinds. Against all birds of 

 prey alike, there exists the strongest prejudice; they 

 are without exception condemned, and, whenever the 

 opportunity offers, executed without trial. This con- 

 demnation of all birds of prey without trial is hardly 

 just. We accord to our basest criminals a patient hear- 

 ing. Why, then, should we not listen to a few words 

 in defence of birds of prey? But few people will ever 

 listen to a word spoken in defence of hawks or owls; 

 they condemn the whole class. The innocent must 

 suffer for the sins of the guilty, for but few persons are 

 willing to believe in an innocent hawk or owl. Yet 

 there are hawks and owls not only innocent of all wrong 

 against man, but actually of great benefit to agriculture. 

 It is certainly unjust to condemn these birds to death 

 because a few of their cousins have been known to steal 

 poultry. It would be just as reasonable to condemn a 

 whole family to death because one member was a thief; 

 or to judge the character of the human race by a few 

 criminals. But, you may object, how can this preju- 

 dice against hawks and owls have become so universal 

 without good foundation ? That there is some founda- 



