VI 11 PREFACE. 



tion of birds is understood, nor, we should 

 think, witliout wondering whether some of tlie 

 naturahsts, who appear as witnesses, are not 

 wolves in sheep's clothing, who, far from really 

 wishing to see all beautiful and useful birds 

 protected by law and increasing in numbers, 

 care little if they are nearly exterminated, pro- 

 vided they can carry out certain theories of 

 their own. 



The Eeport of the proceedings of this Com- 

 mittee is printed in a folio volume, and in every 

 case in this little book, where the author has 

 quoted the opinion of any of the witnesses, he 

 has cited the very words used in the printed 

 Eeport. 



While we know that the rent which our 

 estates return, and the pleasure of living on 

 them to many people, depend on the numbers 

 of certain birds, and the productiveness of our 

 farms and gardens on the presence of others, 

 the inhabitants even of civilised countries, with 



