CHANGES IN FAUNA AND FLORA. 99 



Second. — Hawks and eagles, which destroy many of the 

 mature snakes moving about in the day-time. 



The diminution in the number of these birds, at least as far 

 as the Coast Range is concerned, is probably largely due to 

 the forest fires, which are, I am sorry to say. very frequent 

 in some parts. The owl builds usually in old hollow trees, 

 which are of course more easily destroyed by fire than sound 

 ones. The eagle builds every year, if undisturbed, in the 

 same tree, and is very apt to leave a region where its nest 

 has to be frequently changed. Of course these fires do not 

 directly injure the birds, for they occur late in the year, 

 after the fledging of the young. 



Ophibolus and Pityophis are comparatively trifling factors 

 in the destruction of the rattlesnake, nevertheless it would 

 be wiser to leave inofi*ensive creatures unharmed, for they 

 are his implacable enemies, and perform a very consider- 

 able service to the farmer by lessening the number of ver- 

 min, and it is after all a very cheap kind of heroism to 

 wantonly kill an animal which is incapable of doing harm. 



Nature not interfered with by man is perfectly able to take 

 care of herself. AVhen once we do so all the "bisul- 

 phides " and ' * insect washes " in the world will not restore 

 the balance which has been disturbed; naturam expellas 

 furca tamen usque recuri'et," says Horace. We can only 

 make Nature our ally, never our servant. 



