VERMIN. 141 



dark blue dung beetle, which shows the Owl 

 likes a mixed diet. In order to ascertain the 

 number of mice and other rodents destroyed by 

 these useful birds, seven hundred and six pellets 

 of the Barn Owl were carefully examined, and 

 in them were found the remains of 16 bats, 

 3 rats, 293 voles or field mice, 159 shrews, 

 and 22 small birds. From this may be seen 

 the danger the farmer would run by the in- 

 discriminate slaughter of these useful birds, which 

 ought to be protected instead of destroyed. A 

 few years ago Field Voles increased to such 

 an extent in Eskdale that hundreds of acres of 

 pasture were destroyed, causing great loss, and 

 after various experiments had been tried with- 

 out effect, continued protection of the Owls soon 

 stopped the plague. 



Hawks are now so rare here that the birds do 

 not fear one when he does come our way. I 

 had a Kestrel, attached to a chain and ring, 

 placed amongst my berry bushes last year, and 

 the Blackbirds and Thrushes used to fraternise 



