30 MERCY IN FIELD SPORTS 



economic point is even more important. A vast supply 

 of choice food would have been lost. Careful preserva- 

 tion and, in the case of pheasants, hand-rearing 

 have resulted in an enormous increase in the winged 

 game of this country, the bulk of which finds its way 

 into the market, greatly to the advantage of the public 

 in general and poulterers in particular. 



' Oh, but,' say certain moralists, ' how degrading it is 

 to rear birds for the mere purpose of shooting them 

 down ! ' 



Why, pray? Could the birds be consulted, they 

 would probably prefer a short life and a merry one 

 while it lasts to no life at all. And as for degrada- 

 tion, how many mutton chops do your moralists con- 

 sume in the course of the year? A large number, I 

 am glad to think, thanks to the skill and industry of 

 farmers, who produce large numbers of sheep. The 

 moralists are not heard to reflect on the degradation of 

 farmers and butchers. 



The result of shooting as a field sport has been to 

 retain in this country a number of beautiful and useful 

 birds and beasts which would have been utterly 

 destroyed unless means had been taken to protect 

 them. It has been necessary, in doing so, to kill down 

 other animals not less beautiful, such as martens, 

 polecats, stoats, peregrine falcons, hobbies, harriers, and 

 sparrowhawks. It must be confessed also that some 

 innocent species have been confounded with the guilty. 

 Merlins, kestrels, and owls do very little harm and a 

 great deal of good. Even weasels suffer in reputation 



