304 CONCLUSION. 



but there are many forms of demi-servitude which the animals them- 

 selves would willingly accept. 



The small Chili falcon (cernicula), for example, loves to dwell 

 with his master. He goes alone on his hunting expeditions, and 

 faithfully returns every evening with what he has captured, to eat it 

 en famille. He feels the want of being praised by the father, nattered 

 by the dame, and, above all, caressed by the children. 



Man, formerly protected by the animals, while he was indifferently 

 armed, has gradually risen into a position to become their protector, 

 especially since he has had powder, and enjoyed the possibility of 

 shooting down from a distance the most formidable creatures. He has 

 rendered birds the essential service of infinitely diminishing the number 

 of the robbers of the air. 



He may render them another, and not a less important one that 

 of sheltering at night the innocent species. Night ! sleep ! complete 

 abandonment to the most frightful chances ! Oh ! harshness of 

 Nature ! But she is justified, inasmuch as she has planted here 

 below the far-seeing and industrious being who shall more and more 

 become for all others a second providence. 



" I know a house on the Indre," says Toussenel, " where the 

 greenhouses, open at even, receive every honest bird which seeks an 

 asylum against the dangers of the night, where he who has delayed 

 till late knocks with his bill in confidence. Content to be immured 



