HOW TO PRESERVE ALL BIRDS. 199 



generally cut down now, that all the birds 

 which like to build in holes are at their wits' 

 ends to know where to go. 



Perhaps one of the most useful birds in the 

 world, the starling, has increased more than 

 almost any bird. He is now common in the 

 west of Argyllshire, where he was unknown, 

 and he has great difficulty in finding holes to 

 build in. 



The necessity of finding nesting accommo- 

 dation for birds is noticed by Mr. MuUer. Our 

 system of cultivation finds home and food for 

 an ever-increasing host of insects, but the birds 

 which would live upon them are driven away 

 by the destruction, in so many places, of all the 

 trees and hedgerows. The useless old hedge- 

 rows will never return, but we do think a 

 system of planting occasional strips wiU be 

 adopted. These would be screens from certain 

 winds, a cover for pheasants, and a secure 

 hiding-place for our insect-destroying friends ; 

 and thinnings of these, if planted with such 



