330 PLEA FOR THE BIRDS IN WINTER TIME. 



if pressed by cold and hunger he will take refuge in 

 his dwellings. A few crumbs, a little chaff or waste 

 grain laid out within sight of the windows, will thus 

 in snow time bring large assemblages of little birds 

 to feed upon the bounty of man. Is it asking too 

 much if we respectfully commend them to the hospi- 

 tality of all true lovers of Nature at such seasons? 

 Remember the poor birds when the frosts have sealed 

 up the fountains and snow is deep upon the fields. 



Turning now T to the consideration of birds of prey, 

 we shall preface our observations upon them by pointing 

 out to the sportsman that birds of prey should be 

 regarded as peculiarly his friends and allies. Not 

 because they love him, or because he loves them, but 

 because they point out to him the certain vicinity of 

 a game country. Where there is no game, or where 

 bird life is scarce, there birds of prey will also be 

 scarce, or entirely wanting. The appearance in a 

 country of numerous birds of prey therefore, indicates 

 to the sportsman that he may get his gun ready and 

 look out for chances. He will be sure to find, even 

 if game animals prove scarce, that there are plenty 

 of birds at hand, from some of which his larder may 

 be replenished, and from which a dish " fit for a king" 

 may often be prepared. So also the lion, the tiger, 

 the leopard, the hyaena, the panther, and the wolf; 

 they are never found except in a great game country, 

 and their presence indicates, in like manner with birds 

 of prey, the vicinity of herds of game, or at least of 

 well-stocked pasture lands of native farmers. The 

 roar of the lion or the howling of wolves, is therefore 

 music to the ear of the true sportsman, who knows 

 that there will soon be work cut out for his rifle. 



