VERMIN 199 



hands of every gamekeeper. He is 

 mischievous, be it admitted, yet no more 

 so than the jackdaw, whose less obtrusive 

 garb often procures him immunity. The 

 magpie must certainly be kept within 

 limits, but the utter extermination of 

 so fine a fellow would be a sorry business, 

 and one would always feel inclined to 

 give him the benefit of the doubt. 



The jay is another beautiful dweller 

 in our woodlands who deserves more 

 consideration at our hands than he usually 

 receives. If individual misdeeds and an 

 egg-baited trap readily brings the mis- 

 creant to book be dealt with as such, 

 the trouble often ceases altogether. Jays 

 are the keeper's watchdogs in the woods, 

 giving early warning if aught be amiss ; 

 and a fair sprinkling of one of our most 

 beautiful native birds will not be found 

 an unmixed evil. 



Of the birds of prey, the peregrine 

 must take first place for its destructive 

 powers among game. Fortunately for 

 its continued existence in this country, 



