268 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CH. XXXVI. 



sants and other birds from the higher ranges of the 

 Himalaya mountains, would not only be ornamental 

 but valuable additions to our woods and hills ; nor 

 can it be doubted that many of these beautiful 

 birds would do well and increase in this climate, 

 provided they were allowed for the first few years 

 to breed and multiply undisturbed. 



On considering the immense quantity of game 

 and wild-fowl which is daily exposed in poulterers' 

 shops throughout the entire kingdom, the question 

 naturally suggests itself, " Will not these birds be 

 soon extirpated?" But, to all appearance, the 

 supply continues amply to meet the demand year 

 after year. By the beneficent arrangement of Pro- 

 vidence all birds adapted for the food of man are 

 far more prolific than the birds of prey, or than 

 sea-gulls and those other birds the flesh of which 

 cannot be eaten. 



The nesting-places of sea-gulls and some other 

 kinds of water-fowl are curious things to see. The 

 constant going to and fro, the screaming, and 

 wheeling about of the old birds and the apparent 

 confusion are perfectly wonderful. The confusion 

 is, however, only apparent. Each guillemot and 

 each razor-bill amongst the countless thousands 

 flies straight to her own single egg, regardless of 

 the crowds of other birds, and undeceived by the 



