302 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS 



Yarrell, "Br. B.," ed. 4, i. p. 490, note). These same 

 birds are scarce with us this autumn. In the garden 

 here there are no honeysuckle berries, and not a Parus 

 palustris have I in consequence seen at a bower just 

 opposite my window. 



Now that you remind me of it, I think that I too 

 have heard Titmousen cry in alarm when a Woodcock 

 has been on the wing. It must be an Owl they take 

 it for, and I know the Long-eared Owl preys at times 

 on small birds, so there is some ground for their 

 terror. 



I believe I told you of my seeing 11 Blackgame 

 (9 in one field) one day about a week ago. I have 

 seen nothing of any importance since. I expect to be 

 making my start about this day fortnight. 



Do you like eels ? I don't, but not exactly on the 

 ground assigned by a Yankee : " Do you think, sir, I'd 

 eat a darned damp snake ? " 



Yours very truly, 



ALFRED NEWTON. 



P.S. I ought to have said that the venison turned 

 out an unmixed comfort. 



A.N. to Rev. A. C. Smith :- 



October 31, 1878. 



I fully expected that some of my friends would be 

 startled at the way I dealt with the Crows ; but I am 

 sorry to hear that you are distressed at it. I can only 

 say I was forced to it by the evidence, which I tried to 

 consider as fairly as possible. If I had any bias it was 

 to have things as they always have been, but the 

 evidence was too strong for me. Be sure, however, 

 that I shall not quarrel with those who don't see it as I 

 do, and, if I am not mistaken, to the " British Bird" 

 public the Black and Grey Crows will long stand as 

 distinct " species." 



I thought I had said enough about Rook shooting. 

 As a " sport " it has no charms for me, but rather 



