1 16 STRA Y FEA THERS FROM MANY BIRDS. 



and Pipits in the fields and on the hedges. He does not 

 molest game as a rule, and his services are of great value 

 to man in keeping down the vast hordes of Sparrows 

 that work such havoc in the grain fields. 



It is sad to know that the few species of Raptorial 

 birds which still frequent the country are fast disappear- 

 ing before the incessant persecution of the gamekeeper. 

 The Merlins on the moorlands are sadly thinned each 

 year ; the Hobbies in the woods and forests are seldom 

 left in peace. The Marsh Harrier and the Hen Harrier 

 would doubtless soon become more plentiful if let alone ; 

 and all the species of British Owls would rapidly increase 

 in number, to the farmer's benefit, if keepers were for- 

 bidden to destroy them. We must also lay to the 

 keeper's charge the diminishing numbers of Herons and 

 Kingfishers they are accused of catching fish ; river 

 pollution, poaching, and unfair fishing does more to 

 decimate our rivers in a week than all our fish-eating 

 birds would do in a year. Let the Heron wander by the 

 water-side unmolested, and suffer the Kingfisher to flit 

 along the brooks in peace. 



We must not forget to speak a word in favour of the 

 poor persecuted Starling. This bird is a most useful 

 one to the gardener and the farmer; yet he is among 

 the feathered outcasts, and shot and trapped in a most 

 cruel and wanton manner. The Starling lives principally 

 on worms and grubs ; he is fond of elder-berries, it is 



