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BIRDS OF PREY 



BIRDS of prey are objects of interest and considera- 

 tion from three widely different points of view 

 the gamekeeper's, the bird collector's, and the true 

 naturalist's. 



Very few gamekeepers are naturalists, although 

 one might suppose their calling would have the effect 

 of making them very keen ones. Now and again a 

 keen and intelligent observer is to be found in that 

 fraternity, but he is the exception. As a rule he is 

 prejudiced against all birds of prey, as was his father 

 before him ; he considers it his duty to kill anything 

 he thinks to be injurious to the creatures committed 

 to his charge, and he discharges that duty with zeal, 

 although many of his nailed-up collection of birds 

 were guiltless of some of the mischief attributed to 

 them. Sometimes, too, I have seen amongst them 

 specimens in a state of decay which would have 

 fetched him a good day's pay had he been aware of 

 their market value. The bird collector is wiser so far 

 as that is concerned. He knows the exact market 



