146 FROM SPRING TO FALL. 



CHAPTER IX. 



DESERTED HOMES. 



We have to tramp far, and over rough roads, now, 

 if we wish to see the nests of some birds that have 

 become rare in our game-preserving districts. Head- 

 money being paid for them, they are getting killed 

 off rapidly. Besides this, many of their haunts and 

 feeding-grounds have been broken up of late years, 

 more is the pity. At the same time, I am of opin- 

 ion that many of our rarer visitors might be induced 

 to come regularly to us, were it not for ignorant 

 popular prejudices which have been fostered and 

 religiously handed down from father to son for 

 many generations. 



On the other hand, some gentlemen whom I 

 know have procured, from the remote country dis- 



