134 BIKDS 



a divinity doth hedge it but hardly ourselves. Yet we 

 cling to our godship as to a darling vice. It is agreeable 

 to be seen as a tree walking, in spite of the discomfort of 

 feeling as morally big as a sandhopper, when we reflect 

 upon our theistic qualities. No, we would not disillusion 

 our dogs for worlds ; but at least , in reparation for the 

 deceit, we are urged to practise " dog loyalties to faith and 

 friend." 



JUNE NOTES FOE ENGLISH BIRD-LOVEBS 



Whilst the feather merchants are exterminating the 

 most beautiful birds in the tropics, and each rare bird that 

 visits our own shores is instantly pursued and shot instead 

 of being welcomed and encouraged, it is pleasant to find 

 that in some parts of the country lovers of birds may still 

 hear and see many birds which are uncommon, and to 

 know that even among gamekeepers there are individuals 

 who refuse to kill every rare bird they notice. 



The first thing needed for bird observation is to have 

 eyes to see, and some knowledge of the ways and the notes 

 of each bird. With this one can be pretty sure to dis- 

 cover every nest in one's own garden, and a good many 

 outside it. Nothing strikes me more than, first, the 

 certainty with which a good naturalist, when on a walk 

 in the country, will discover one nest after another ; and 

 secondly, the number of nests of rather rare birds that 

 are to be found each year in the naturalist's garden. My 

 naturalist friend here, with quite a small garden on a 

 narrow strip between a river and a much-frequented high- 

 road, can show, besides those of the ordinary garden birds, 

 three nests of spotted flycatchers, a grey wagtail, a garden- 

 warbler, a whitethroat, and a pied flycatcher this beauti- 

 ful little bird is the least timid of all, and both cock and 

 hen keep on feeding their young quite undisturbed by 

 our presence at only two or three yards' distance and in 

 the stream the dipper or water ouzel regularly nests. In 

 our own garden we have the willow and the wood 



