118 ox THE SEA-BIKDS PKESEKVATIO-X ACT, 



bird or insect, whether it •was taken or shot by man, or had 

 been caught and eaten by a Hawk or other bird, its natural end, 

 for Js^ature seems to have ordained that few, if any, of her crea- 

 tures, birds, beasts, fishes, or insects, should die what we call a 

 natui'ol death. All, as soon as they get feeble, and very often 

 before, merely form food for others. 



The only legislation really required is protection for all our 

 summer residents during breeding time, including eggs and 

 young of all breeding birds, great and small, at this season, 

 on the grounds of humanity alone, unless they become a posi- 

 tive nuisance. 



The war of extermination carried on during breeding time 

 against Hawks, Owls, Crows, Magpies, Jays, AVood-Pigeons, and 

 others whose real habits we really know little of, is at the least 

 cruel and unjustifiable when we take into consideration the 

 numbers of young birds left to die in the nests when the old 

 birds are trapped. Morally there is no greater harm in any one 

 torturing a domestic animal than there is in starving a wild one. 

 I would not think it right to prevent a person shooting any of 

 these birds ho chose on his own laud, but I hope the time will 

 come when we may not all be so addicted to fashion, and that 

 some large landed proprietors will take delight in ha™g on their 

 estates all kinds of birds Xature intended to be there, and in ob- 

 serWng their liabits and hearing their cries, all of which add 

 charm to a countiy life. One of the greatest drawbacks to the 

 country is the absence of the various birds which ought to bo 

 there ; and which of us will or can take upon himself to say that 

 the good such birds as the Magpie and Jay do in destroying in- 

 sects and their grubs during the whole year, does not quite 

 compensate for any injury or imaginary injui-}' they do or arc 

 supposed to do during their breeding season. 



I would ask whether Rooks do not take eggs when they can 

 find them ? Birds are generally cunning enough to conceal their 

 eggs, but they arc probably as likely to be found by a Rook as 

 a Magpie. AVhy then make enemies of tho one kind and 8j)are 

 the other ? Tiu; chief reason socms to bo custom only. 



As matters are at present, persons living near villages and 



