THE BIRDS. 



553 



the Kestrel (Tinutuicnlus Falco, fig. 1195), the Sparrow Hawk (Falco 

 msus), and the White Owl (Strix flammcea, fig. 1196) 



*' The ill-faced owl, Death's dreadful messenger " (SPENSER) ; 

 or, as Shakspeare has it r 



" The clamorous owl that nightly hoots : " 



but they are only occasional visitors. 



The constant persecution of raptorial birds by gamekeepers 

 has terribly thinned this country of this family. It is probable 

 that they are useful in destroying diseased and maimed birds, 

 and preventing the overcrowding of species, and it is questionable 

 whether the general balance of nature can be disturbed with im- 

 punity by the caprice of ignorant and prejudiced men. 



The following table has been prepared by my son, to si ow 

 about the time when the following birds arrive at my garden : the 

 exact day varies in each year : 



. April 1 6th. 

 . , i8th. 

 . 22nd. 



5? 



. May loth. 

 . 1 8th. 

 . 25th. 



Although birds delight us with their song, yet in my intercourse 

 with musical men I have found but few that have the power of 



recording their notes. I therefore requested my brother, Mr. F. 



Smee, to visit my garden and endeavour to take down the notes 



of the birds as they sang. He reported that some of their musical 



phrases were in the minor key, and I have printed several of the 

 strophes as they were sung. 



The Rfed Warbler. 



