SPORTSMEN AND BIRDS. 
477 
pecker, the hero of many a fairy tale, takes np its abode 
there: these birds pay double and treble rent, and on 
this account he does not fell the monarchs of the 
forest. Owls and Buzzards need fear nothing at his 
hands, for he is fully aware of the extraordinary amount 
of good they do, and values them accordingly. Every 
useful bird is welcome in his preserves; but woe betide 
all thieves and footpads, in the form of vermin of any 
kind. The life to be seen on his property makes it a 
pleasure to stroll over it! 
That the chase makes friends of man and birds is an 
undeniable fact. One might possibly make one exception 
to this rule in the case of vermin shooting,* which many 
imagine is only pursued for the sake of killing or shoot¬ 
ing for practice. This sport, however, has its uses ; 
inasmuch as the utter destruction of the robber-band 
affords protection to harmless birds. This sport is one of 
the noblest and pleasantest amusements incident to 
sporting life; for the shooter does not work exclusively 
for his own pleasure, but acts as the avenger and 
protector of the oppressed; and singularly enough he 
uses, as an assistant in the matter, the stupid king of the 
night, the Eagle Owl, who, more malignant than any of 
the Hawk tribe, pursues the thoughtless and merry band. 
It is true all this takes place greatly against its will, no 
doubt: such, however, is the fate of all sneaking, under¬ 
hand creatures like itself; it is Nature’s justice, and the 
retribution which, sooner or later, is sure to come at 
last. 
* Shooting at the “ Krahenliiitte” is a German mode of ridding the country of 
such vermin as Crows, Hawks, Jays, &c., and is accomplished by the shooter lying 
in ambush in a hut, with an Eagle Owl tied down within shot of him: the result is, 
that the different birds come down and around to bully the Owl, and thus fall easy 
victims to the sportsman.— W. J. 
