SPARROW-HAWK, MERLIN, KESTREL, AND OWL. 79 



been systematically killed for years, so their na- 

 tural food must have been most numerous, and 

 it is a sufficient answer to the recommendation 

 of some naturahsts to let these birds breed in 

 peace, and, ' if they become too numerous, to 

 destroy some of them afterwards.' Too nu- 

 merous ! We believe this was the only bird 

 of the sort in the whole country, and he was 

 exactly one too many. 



We could mention many other instances of 

 the destruction and mischief done by these 

 hawks. We will kill them as long as our 

 guns carry shot, and advise all occupiers of 

 land who love harmless birds to do the same. 



We are sorry for the little merlin ; he is 

 such a handsome little rascal ; but he is a dread- 

 ful bird murderer. They are scarce because 

 their real character has been found out. Were 

 they allowed to breed undisturbed they would 

 soon become numerous, and other birds wouki 

 decrease in an alarming ratio. It is not as a 

 game preserver but as a bird preserver that 



