264 GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 



been all explored over and over again for acorns 

 and beechmast, and not another nut remains 

 have been detected occasionally in the act of de- 

 vouring the eggs, or even the unfledged young of 

 a small bird, is just possible ; although after 

 much patient observation and diligent inquiry, I 

 am bound to say that I have seen nothing of the 

 sort, nor met with a single well-authenticated^ 

 instance of the kind. The list of our indigenous 

 quadrupeds is already too restricted to admit of 

 his extermination ; and I, for one, earnestly hope 

 that the day may be far distant when the eye of 

 the British naturalist is no longer to be gladdened 

 by the contemplation of his beautiful form and 

 his sprightly bounds. Then indeed will our 

 woods and groves be deprived of one of their 

 greatest ornaments. 



FINIS. 



LONDON: 



Printed by SAMUEL BENTLEY & Co. 

 Bangor House, Shoe Lane. 



