286 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



and branches of the tree are white with their excrements, 

 but still little or no smell pervades the place. Before 

 finally taking wing the young birds repair to the neigh- 

 bouring trees, where for a few days longer they are fed 

 by their parents, until the happy moment arrives when 

 they separate, to roam the fields and woods in all the 

 pride of their now strong and active pinions. 



There is not a doubt but that the Sparrowhawk is 

 a destructive bird, still there are points in his character 

 which partially, if not completely, counterbalance his 

 ravages. We must also bear in mind that it is not for 

 us to question the wiseness of Nature in sending the 

 Sparrowhawk amongst us, and that his inroads in our 

 game coverts and poultry yards are never so severe as to 

 merit our taking his life. Hawks, Falcons, Owls, and 

 Crows, despised birds though they are, have an import- 

 ant part to play in Nature's economy, and we may rest 

 assured that part is well and faithfully performed. 



