BIRDS AND THEIR FRIENDS. 
449 
them from the attacks of cats or polecats, who glide about 
at night seeking what they can pick up. The thievish 
Magpie meets with no mercy ; Sparrowhawk and Falcon 
are regarded as deadly enemies by him who cares to pre¬ 
serve birds.* 
Birds show their gratitude for the shelter afforded 
them, and the affection shown them, by unlimited 
confidence. They learn to know their protector, and to 
distinguish him from other people. Pigeons take food 
from his hand, instead of flying away at his approach, 
as formerly; the Whitethroat does not quit its nest, even, 
when, to obtain a peep of it, he separates the leaves and 
twigs which hide it from the public gaze; the Pied Fly¬ 
catcher, occupying one of the little breeding-boxes, does 
not allow itself to be disturbed while sitting, even when 
* I cannot too strongly or too often seek to impress upon my readers liow 
necessary the preservation of birds is in our time, and how rich an interest they pay 
for money and pains expended on them. The want of holes in trees must be remedied 
not only in the garden, hut in the woods; the little Warblers must be protected 
while nesting. If one enlarges a hole in a decayed tree so as to form on the outside 
a place of egress, and bores a few holes in the lower part, so as to let water run off, 
it will not he long before the house has a tenant, whose presence amply makes 
amends for all trouble taken. Natural holes are always better than artificial ones; 
still the latter will attract occupants. Holes may be made in stems and branches, 
which are rotten at the core, upon which one leaves the natural bark standing ; they 
are then nailed to trees in the garden, with their entrances to the south or east, some 
being placed in a perpendicular, and some in a horizontal, position; or one may manu¬ 
facture a number of tiny little boxes, out of old hoards, measuring about 10 inches 
in length by 3 or 4 inches in height and breadth, and nail them up from 10 to 20 
feet above the ground. All low, thorny growths are well suited for breeding hedges : 
blackthorn, whitethorn, gooseberry-bushes, wild rose, bramble; then fir-trees, cherry- 
trees, &c.: these ought to be planted, if possible, close together, and surrounded at 
first with a thick belt of quick-set. Living hedges of the same material are invaluable 
for fruit gardens, because they furnish a locality for your most hard-working gardeners. 
Trees containing Woodpeckers’ holes ought, under all circumstances, to be looked 
upon as watch-towers or fortresses against the ever-ready array of destructive insects. 
Lastly, pursue all noxious birds with an unrelenting hand;—Eagles, Falcons, Gos¬ 
hawks, Sparrowhawks, Kites, Ravens, Magpies, and Shrikes : of these spare none !—■ 
Brehm. 
