308 EEMINISCENCES OF A SPOETSMAN-. 



the lord of open wolds; tie must have scope for his 

 long strong wing, and even the partridge is comparatively- 

 safe, for he can only strike his game when on the wing. 

 Your real enemies are ground vermin ; the stoat, the 

 polecat, and especially your neighbour's " tabby " who 

 breaks out at times. They, indeed, will damage you. 

 But the harmless mousing kestrel, pass him by; the 

 white owl, do not rejoice to nail him up. I remember a 

 keeper (and an artist too in his way) who, on being 

 remonstrated with for his bump of destruction, replied, 

 " What ! white owls do no harm ? They do'ant do any 

 good. What business has white things like them flying 

 about, nobody knows what hours ? " Be above such 

 vulgar prejudices ; do not lend a hand to exterminate the 

 race of our falcons, fast declining, but spare the noble 

 peregrine, spare him, even if you neither could be nor 

 would be a disciple of " The Hood and the Leash.'''' 



THE END. 



LONDOlf 



FEINTED BY SPOITISWOODE AND CO. 



KEW-SIBEET SO.UAEE 



