. Rural bird life : being essays on ornithology with instructions for preserving objects relating to that science . us notes. The leaves 286 RURAL BIRD LIFE. and branches of the tree are white with their excrements,but still Httle or no smell pervades the place. Beforefinally taking wing the young birds repair to the neigh-bouring trees, where for a few days longer they are fedby their parents, until the happy moment arrives whenthey separate, to roam the fields and woods in all thepride of their now strong and active pinions. There is not a doubt but that the Sparrowhawk isa destructive bird,
. Rural bird life : being essays on ornithology with instructions for preserving objects relating to that science . us notes. The leaves 286 RURAL BIRD LIFE. and branches of the tree are white with their excrements,but still Httle or no smell pervades the place. Beforefinally taking wing the young birds repair to the neigh-bouring trees, where for a few days longer they are fedby their parents, until the happy moment arrives whenthey separate, to roam the fields and woods in all thepride of their now strong and active pinions. There is not a doubt but that the Sparrowhawk isa destructive bird, still there are points in his characterwhich partially, if not completely, counterbalance hisravages. We must also bear in mind that it is not forus to question the wiseness of Nature in sending theSparrowhawk amongst us, and that his inroads in ourgame coverts and poultry yards are never so severe as tomerit our taking his life. Hawks, Falcons, Owls, andCrows, despised birds though they are, have an import-ant part to play in Natures economy, and we may restassured that part is well and faithfully THE BARN OWL, The Earn Owl is another bird attendant on civilisa-tion, and seldom indeed seen in the wild. They frequentthe ivied ruins, caves, barns, and outbuildings, churchsteeples and hollow trees, where they lurk and sleepduring the day, coming out at night time to feed. Asorely persecuted bird it is, partly on account of its lovefor night and darkness, and partly because it is thoughtto kill and devour game and poultry; yet, withal, it is ahandsome one, and few birds are clothed in more richand varied plumage. The Barn Owl, because he is seenflying over the churchyard at dusk, and taking refuge inthe steeple, is said by the superstitious villagers to holdcommunion with departed souls, and his presence islooked upon with terror and hatred. It is the birds 288 RURAL BIRD LIFE. love of seclusion alone that ser»ds him to the ivied belfry,and he is quite as harmless as
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Keywords: ., bookauthorcoue, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectbirds
