Some recent changes in habits and food of British Birds. 987 



We sum up this by saying that the whole concourse of these 

 conditions bring out a complete complement of bird life of more 

 interest and of more value than ever has been. 



We will now proceed to touch upon some examples of the 

 present position of birds. Dealing- with land birds first. 



I. Raptatrices. — Where Ave have a general order of birds 

 which were left to the free will of man before Protection interfered. 



Perhaps such representatives as the Golden Eagle Aquila 

 chrysaetus, have been saved from extinction. Beyond that we know 

 of no very more marked effect which has been produced among 

 this great order of birds. They simply ebb and flow. 



So we pass this order by noticing that the Kestrel Falco 

 tiiinuìiculus as a protected bird has not increased more than the 

 Sparrow Hawk Acclj)iter visus which has not been thus attended to. 



II. Volitatrices. — All protected and all migratory birds as 

 the Swallows Hirundo we know of no marked change. Our 

 numbers are much governed by their treatment elsewhere. — 

 Simply nesting here. 



We have on record an instance where some of the number hid 

 themselves, virtually slept, during an early autumnal snowstorm. 

 Eating up droppings of cows before doing so. Then appearing in 

 their usual form after the storm was over. 



III. Scansores. — Where we touch one bird — the Grey 

 Cuckoo Cuculus cauorus which continues to visit and to nest 

 with us. Changing its dates and numbers of appearing readily 

 with landscape changes. Probably the number of young has 

 increased since protected. 



IV and V. Jaculatrices, nor Excurtrices have not made any 

 progress with us. — Protection might lead birds similarly situated 

 to nest in our Island or increase. 



VI. Vagatrices — Where the Crow-Genus hold their own 

 with no protection. While in the case of the Rook Corvus fnigi- 

 legus we have a never ending theme for diversity of opinion, while 

 year after year large numbers are destroyed at the most unnatural 

 times possible. I noted one year where days and nights were 

 spent destroying them while nesting that some soared high and 

 darted down into their nests. While others remained on the 

 moors; eating Grouse eggs. I noticed in October some of them 

 darting in similar fashion. So they can easily adapt themselves 

 to new methods and new foods as circumstances demand. In 

 consequence, we believe that the Rook is still useful. Although 

 recent innovations, such as hen reared Pheasants, have brought 

 food in their way, which has given them a taste for other things. 



We have also an example in the Alagpie Pica melanoleuca 

 where determined persecution had thrust it in the shade. For 

 theft of eggs and so forth. The hand of the destroyer had receded 

 and now we have more of these interesting birds I believe. 



