56 GAME rKESERVERS AJST) BIRD PRESERVERS. 



shoot, as they frequent the open country, and 

 they build on the ground among the heather. 



One spring some cattle taking alarm at some 

 dogs, which were out with the keeper, running 

 through the heather put up a hen harrier, and 

 actually trod in the nest and broke all the eggs. 

 This bird, however, laid again and reared a brood 

 on the same hill and very near the same spot. 

 They thinned the grouse most cruelly. It was 

 the best breeding season we ever saw, and packs 

 were all large where they bred in peace, but 

 very few in that part of the country numbered 

 more than four birds. We found five packs in 

 succession each numbering four. 



The old male, when he was shot at last, had 

 his crop full of wire-worms. Probably lie 

 had been recommended change of diet for a 

 time. We do not beheve that ISTatm-e gave 

 him those long wings, and that hooked 

 beak, and those cruel claws to himt and catch 

 worms with as a rule.. Her worm-hunting 

 cliildren are differently armed. Harriers fly 



