DESTRUCTION FOR SAFETY OF MAN AND STOCK 137 



five parishes on Deeside already mentioned, 1347 Ravens 

 and Hooded Crows were killed in the ten years from 1776 

 to 1786; in two estates (Langwell and Sandside) in Suther- 

 landshire, 1962 were slain in seven years from 1819 to 1826; 

 and on the estates of the Duchess of Sutherland in the same 

 county, the three years 1831 to 1834 saw the death of 936 

 Ravens, for each of which the reward of two shillings was 

 paid. 



AN INDIRECT RESULT OF -DESTRUCTION 



The slaughter of beasts and birds of prey for the pro- 

 tection of domestic animals has not been one-sided in its 

 effects, for a natural result has been the indirect protection 

 and inordinate increase of smaller fry whose welfare lay out- 

 with the intentions of the slayers. These smaller beasts and 

 birds have benefited enormously by the disappearance of 

 their natural enemies. This, as well as active protection, 

 may account for the increasing numbers of many small birds, 

 but it is also responsible in part for the multiplication of such 

 pests as Rabbits and Rats. The 'seriousness of the Vole 

 plague, which in the early nineties of last century ravaged 

 a wide district in the Scottish Lowlands, has also been attri- 

 buted in some degree to the disappearance of creatures which 

 under natural conditions form an efficient curb to overwhelm- 

 ing multiplication. How will these lesser vermin fare now 

 that war has given their enemies an unforeseen opportunity 

 to increase ? Naturalists- will be fortunate if the answer 

 leads to a fresh consideration of the influence of birds and 

 beasts of prey upon lesser pests, and to a more reasonable 

 slaughter on the part of the protectors of the poultry yard 

 and the game covert. 



