po The Amateur Poacher 



and the blue of jays alternated. Many of the mag- 

 pies had been despoiled of their tails, and some of 

 their wings, the feathers being saleable. The jays 

 were more numerous, and untouched ; they were slain 

 in such numbers that the market for their plumage 

 was glutted. Though the bodies were shrunken, the 

 feathers were in fair condition. Magpies' nests are so 

 large that in winter, when the leaves are off the trees, 

 they cannot but be seen, and, the spot being marked, 

 in the summer old and young are easily destroyed 

 Hawks filled the third row. The kestrels were the 

 most numerous, but there were many sparrow-hawks. 

 These made a great show, and were stuck so closely 

 that a feather could hardly be thrust between them. 

 In the midst, quite smothered under their larger wings, 

 were the remains of a smaller bird — probably a 

 merlin. But the last and lowest row, that was also 

 nearest, or on a level with the face of a person look- 

 ing at the gallows, was the most striking. 



This grand tier was crowded with owls — not 

 arranged in any order, but haphazard, causing a fine 

 mixture of colour. Clearly this gallery was con- 

 stantly renewed. The white owl gave the prevalent 

 tint, side by side with the brown wood owls, and 

 scattered among the rest, a few long horned owls — a 

 mingling of white, yellowish brown, and tawny feathers. 



