328 «= Wald Life in a Southern County. 
was judged by the ear. It is not really ventriloquial, 
but caused by the rapid movements and by the cir- 
cumstance of the bird being out of sight. 
We constantly hear that the area of pasture in 
England is extending, and gradually overlapping 
arable lands ; and the question suggests itself whether 
this, if it continues, will not have some effect upon 
bird and animal life by favouring those that like grass 
lands and diminishing those that prefer the ploughed. 
On and near ploughed lands modern agriculture 
endeavours to cut down trees and covers and grub up 
hedges, not only on account of their shade and the 
injury done by their roots, but because they are sup- 
posed to shelter sparrows and other birds. But pas- 
ture and meadow are favourable to hedges, trees, and 
covers: wherever there is much grass there is generally 
plenty of wood ; and this again—if hedges and small 
covers extend in a corresponding degree with pasture 
—may affect bird life. 
A young dog may be taught to hunt almost any- 
thing. Young pointers will point birds’ nests in hedges 
or trees, and discover them quicker than any lad. If 
a dog is properly trained, of course this is not allowed; 
but if not trained, after accompanying boys nesting 
once or twice they will enter into the search with the 
greatest eagerness. Labourers occasionally make caps 
of dog-skin, preserved with the hair on. Cats not un- 
commonly put a paw into the gins set for rabbits or 
rats. The sharp teeth break the bone of the leg, 
