336 FACT AGAINST FICTIOX. 



stones, at tlic depth at v.-liich the mole works, 

 are very rare. For some time I was in doubt 

 whether this stone was not wedged in by the 

 mole when he had done heaving up, to prevent 

 the fall of the hill, but since then I incline to 

 the idea that the stone is there to be rid of its 

 obstruction. 



Among the more recent wild birds that liave 

 become attached to me is a Avater-rail. The 

 rail comes to the whistle for the ducks to feed, 

 and eats barley in close approximation to man, 

 and in full confidence in the safety he affords. 



Superficial observers, by confidently pronouncing 

 their casually or ill-considered opinions, very often 

 do much harm, and create for many a poor little 

 innocent creature an enmity undeserved — thus, in 

 the beautiful bullfincli, and goldfinch as well, be- 

 cause the birds are seen to pick off and apparently 

 eat some buds from fruit-trees ; none of these mis- 

 observers permit what maij he inside the bud, and 

 already destroying the possibility of perfection, to 

 enter their minds. Tlic}^ buiki their opinion on 

 one visible sign, and tarry not to ascertain if there 

 is not another lurking behind it, which is really 

 the sole source of the mischief they observe. Tims, 



