i877-j Tfc Balance of Nature. 167 
kingfisher is known beyond the shadow of a doubt. The 
waders watch on the bank of a pond or in the shallows of 
a stream till they find opportunity to spear some passing 
fish : they prey, indeed, also on lizards, frogs, snakes, worms, 
and inserts. But if the angler takes the same view of the 
case as does Mr. Morant with respeCt to the carrion crow or 
the magpie, he will demand their condemnation. Even 
certain water-fowl, such as the swan, are accused of de- 
vouring the spawn of fishes deposited at the bottom of rivers 
and ponds. We thus find ourselves on the threshold of a 
serious difficulty. Three conflicting claims are urged. Mr. 
Morant and the game-preservers bid us destroy the birds of 
prey and the crow tribe, and preserve all other winged 
creatures. The anglers, on the contrary, demand the extir- 
pation of the waders and the kingfisher, whatever is done 
with the Raptores and the small birds. Lastly, but cer- 
tainly not least, the farmer and gardener pronounce sentence 
of death on all devourers of seeds and fruits. Here, then, 
is a “ very pretty quarrel.” None of the contending powers 
is willing to abate its own pretensions, though each recom- 
mends concession to the other two. The naturalist, if ap- 
pealed to, stands aghast, and doubts whether he can save 
any of the feathered race. We are thus led up to a further 
question, upon which an absolute decision would be prema- 
ture. We have so far provisionally assumed that the small 
birds are our benefactors in an unqualified sense, and that 
their unlimited increase would be desirable ; but this is not 
proven. Few of them are purely insectivorous, as every 
gardener knows ; but, on the other hand, many of the seed- 
eaters are highly useful by limiting the propagation of 
weeds. Thus the goldfinch, now becoming rare in many 
parts of England, is particularly fond of thistle-seed. It is 
generally said that if we encourage the birds we may avail 
ourselves of their services, and yet prevent them from doing 
mischief by the use of netting. We may, indeed, protect 
wall and espalier fruit in this manner, but to net over entire 
orchards and fields is impracticable ; besides, nets— -if they 
prevent fruit-stealing— -will likewise interfere with inseCt- 
catching. Further, the alleged depredations of some birds 
are not deferred until the crops are ripe. The bullfinch, 
chaffinch, and titmouse are charged with pulling off the buds 
of fruit-trees. A sentinel with a gun will assuredly scare 
away the innocent birds as well as those really guilty. One 
small bird Mr. Morant declines to protect. The sparrow 
may almost be called a winged rat, from the extent and 
variety of his depredations ; he catches insects during the 
