1 14 STRA Y FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



certainly never molests game. He is one of the farmer's 

 and landowner's best friends, yet shot and trapped on 

 every occasion by the wanton stupid keeper ! 



By the side of the drive a little farther on several poles 

 have been placed horizontally between two trees, and 

 this is the keeper's museum morgue is the better word 

 where he hangs and nails up his furred and feathered 

 captures, and where he is in the habit of taking his 

 employer to inspect the motley assemblage monuments 

 to his zeal in his master's interests (?) Rows of Magpies 

 and Jays are there, with plumage fair and brilliant, even 

 in death ; a dozen or so of Hawks and Kestrels ; moles, 

 weasels, stoats, and the tails of domestic cats help to 

 swell the collection ; here and there are Goatsuckers : 

 and a Barn Owl, two Cuckoos, a Green Woodpecker, a 

 Carrion Crow, and two Long-eared Owls bring the 

 ghastly list to a close ! Poor birds ! When will man 

 realise your usefulness, and extend to you his protection 

 and encouragement? 



But the keeper's morning work is not yet over. Hark 

 to the Cuckoo calling gladsomely in the fulness of his joy 

 from the alders by the stream ! Poor bird ; his mellow 

 notes will soon be hushed ; he is singing his own requiem ! 

 The keeper can imitate to a nicety the notes of most of 

 the woodland birds, and he cleverly lures the poor 

 inoffensive Cuckoo to his doom. A flash, a report, and 

 the deed is done. The bleeding Cuckoo, with yellow bill 





