THE PLAGUE OF FIELD VOLES. 
135 
supply. The number of mice and rats killed by a single pair 
of the common white or barn owl, while rearing a family, is well 
nigh incredible. This has again and again been proved and 
pointed out by Mr. Norgate and other careful observers, who 
have spared neither trouble nor pains in investigating the 
matter by personal observation, in order that the pernicious 
practice of destroying owls might be put a stop to. The above- 
named gentleman, on examining more than thirty barn owls’ 
nests, found the remains of only one bird — a blackbird — whereas 
one nest was supplied with twenty fresh rats all killed in one 
night. Other nests were supplied, some with rats only, some 
with mice only. Zoologist for 1881, p. 314.” 
The Report proceeds as follows; “The short-eared owl 
differs from most other owls in that he hunts in daylight, and 
his operations can be observed ; but there is no doubt that the 
nocturnal species are equally useful to the farmer in destroying 
small rodents, and it would be 'difficult to condemn too severely 
the foolish and cruel action of those who allow or encourage the 
destruction of this useful and beautiful family of birds. It is 
with much satisfaction that the Committee record that many 
landowners and game preservers seem to have become convinced 
in late years that owls of all sorts are not only harmless to game 
but most beneficial to agriculturists, and have issued orders for 
the preservation of these birds. 
“ Next, and hardly second in merit, as a check upon voles 
and mice, comes the kestrel {Falco tinnunculus), and it is to be 
deplored that popular ignorance as to its food and habits is even 
greater than that which prevails in regard to owls. This bird, 
although possessing the long wings and dark eyes characteristic 
of a true falcon, is known to gamekeepers as a hawk — noscitxir 
a sociis ; its death-warrant is a standing order in most preserves, 
though here again there has been some improvement, and the- 
destruction of the kestrel is forbidden on some estates. The 
food of this bird is known to consist almost exclusively of mice, 
grasshoppers, coleopterous insects, and their larvae .... 
Buzzards probably destroy large numbers of voles and mice, and 
are too heavy on the wing to do much injury to winged game ; 
but they have become very scarce in Southern Scotland, owing 
to their destruction by gamekeepers.” Here in East Anglia, 
and indeed in most parts of the country, these fine birds may be 
said to have been exterminated as a breeding species, though 
a few, especially of the rough-legged species, still occasionally 
make the fatal experiment of paying us a visit in the autumn. 
The Committee, it appears, do not approve of the use of 
poison in dealing with the “ vole plague,” but among the 
various remedies suggested, great stress is laid on the preserva- 
tion of owls of all sorts, buzzards, kestrels and the smaller sea- 
gulls, respecting which they say — “ Strict injunctions ought to 
be given by landowners that these birds should not be destroyed. 
Their presence in full numbers, though inadequate to avert an 
