212 THE CORNCRAKE 



like wood-pigeons by game-preservation, to become injurious to 

 agricultural crops, for it must be remembered that they are vege- 

 tarians, and obtained at the expense of the farmer. 



FIG. 122. THE TURTLEDOVE. 



CORNCRAKE. Worms, slugs and insects devoured by this bird, 

 and the brood more than compensate for any damage done to 

 grass or to corn : therefore protection should be accorded to it, 

 though this will always be limited, as the landrail is good eating, 

 and in Ireland game. 



DESTRUCTIVE 



CROSSBILL. The only means of repression is the gun when 

 this bird appears in orchards, and by taking the nests or eggs 

 in the forest. 



SEA-SWALLOW. What the swallows and martins are to the 

 land, this bird, as regards flight, is to the sea very delightful to 

 observe by visitors but its destructive habits on fish demand 

 repression by taking the eggs so as to reduce the number to con- 

 sistence with the welfare of the fisheries. 



