Influence of Modern Agriculhire on Birds 267 



place their calls in the stubble often sound some way to 

 the right or left of the real position of the bird, which 

 presently appears emerging from the turnips ten or fifteen 

 yards farther up than was judged by the ear. It is not 

 really ventriloquial, but caused by the rapid movements 

 and by the circumstance 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 

 supposed to shelter sparrows and other birds. But pasture 

 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 anything. 

 Young pointers will point birds' nests in hedges or trees, 

 and discover them quicker than any lad. If a dog is pro- 

 perly 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 uncommonly put a paw into 

 the gins set for rabbits or rats. The sharp teeth break the 

 bone of the leg, but if the cat is found and let out she will 

 often recover — running about on three legs till the injured 

 fore-foot drops off at the joint, when the stump heals up. 



