1 10 STRA Y FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



a corner of the park, passes under the big trees where 

 the rookery is established, and is soon at the narrow 

 gate of the plantation through which he passes daily to 

 the woods. It is spring-time, and the trees are just 

 bursting into leaf; the Sky Lark warbles overhead, and 

 the Thrush sings in the tree tops. The Cuckoo shouts 

 from the distant woods, and the Ring Doves murmur 

 loud in their amorous excitement as they run along the 

 broad limbs of the pines all Nature is rejoicing at the 

 change of season, and everything speaks eloquently of 

 peace, tranquillity, and contentment. Yes, all things are 

 very fair and beautiful this morning until man, in the 

 shape of yonder gamekeeper, appears upon the scene. 

 Then the spell of their vernal gladness is broken, and 

 the charm of their sylvan peace destroyed, for verily his 

 path is strewn with devastation and blood ! 



Our keeper's first attack is on a pair of merry Magpies 

 which have made their nest in a tall oak, far in the wood 

 amongst the highest trees. He stealthily stalks towards 

 the tree, and then whistles loudly. The noise disturbs 

 the mother bird, brooding on her six unfledged little 

 ones, and she hurries out to be ruthlessly shot down. 

 Yesterday the cock bird was killed when bringing food 

 to his mate ; now the nest is desolate, and the helpless 

 young are left to die a slow, lingering death from 

 starvation and exposure. Vainly they may cry for food, 

 both parents are dead ! We have not a more handsome 



