484 
BIRD-LIFE. 
listened and watched, until endowed with subtle eye and 
ear, so to speak, he learns to read the language of Nature, 
discover her secrets, and explain her mysteries. How is 
it that fowlers are always amiable people, favourites with 
everyone, and have a word to say to everybody, and that 
the right one, be it ever so homely ? They learn this at 
the fowling-ground: it is there their characters are 
formed. The little hut in the greenwood has taught 
them and made them what they are. 
The actual capture of birds is not the sole aim; it is 
only one of the motives which attach the bird-catcher to 
his sport. He has other things to do besides setting his 
nets,—to guard against birds of prey. Goshawk, Sparrow- 
hawk, Kite, &c., frighten the decoy-birds in the bushes, 
especially those which are simply attached to a string and 
a peg on the ground, and they also prevent the approach 
of the wished-for visitors. Obnoxious individuals are 
greeted on their approach with a charge of shot, for the 
gun always stands loaded in a corner of the hut. If the 
impudent thief is killed, so much the better; it is a good 
action performed. Besides this there is much to observe ! 
Many lovely visitors—the Wren, Redbreast, Hedge- 
sparrow, Whitethroat, Titmouse, and Goldcrest—glide in 
and out of the hedges which surround the fowling-place; 
and one is glad to see them: they are permitted to pick 
up an odd bit or two if they like, and pursue their journey 
unmolested. Then there is much to puzzle over and 
reflect on. Foreign guests appear, and the question 
immediately arises, “ Where do they come from ?” Is it 
really true that the Bohemian Waxwing, which we some¬ 
times see, only comes once in seven years ? Is it that 
the Crossbill knows for certain beforehand, whether the 
seeds of the pine are ripe and plentiful, that makes it 
