58 HILLSIDE, ROCK, AND DALE 



are taken from a certain locality, and the birds are 

 not given the slightest chance of propagating their 

 species. In one of the nests here figured the kites 

 did succeed in rearing two young ones; but just 

 before these were able to fly, two prowling boys, who 

 said they were searching for jackdaws' nests, un- 

 fortunately came upon this one, and the fact that 

 it was of great size excited their curiosity, so 

 that one climbed up and brought down the two 

 fledglings. These were taken home, and when it 

 was discovered that they were valuable birds the 

 boys advertised them, and in return for one received 

 a bicycle, while the other young kite died before it 

 could be exchanged. 



Another nest was built near a farmhouse. The 

 farmer was paid to watch the nest, and barbed wire 

 was placed round the tree, but this, too, was robbed 

 by some unprincipled person. Similar tales can be 

 heard each year. A certain person, I believe a 

 dealer's agent, loots the nests every spring ; and as 

 the birds build in very much the same locality year 

 after year, it is an easy thing to find them. What 

 a pity it is that reliable watchers cannot be sent to 

 this locality, two for each nest, and so give the birds 

 a chance. If for a few years reckless adventurers 

 who rob every rare nest could be kept at bay, the 

 kite might be seen more frequently among the wild 

 hills of these islands. It is a national disgrace that 



