The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-08-01

limits. AS instances of what l refer to l
may mention the associations formed lin
various parts of the country for the de-
struction of wood pigeons, the number of
people employed in killing moles and the
many devices resorted to by gardeners and
farmers to protect their fruit and seed
crops. If hawks and owls were allowed to
live, gardeners would be saved much of
the trouble they now have in protecting
their fruit from black birds, thrushss and
other small birds, nor would they have las
is often the case) their newly sown peas
devoured by mice. Farmers would not
have half the mice in their stack yards nor
moles and mice in their fields, and landed
proprietors would not have the mortifica-
ton of seeing las they frequently do what
was but short time ago thriving planta-
ton, not nothing but a lot of dead scrub,
and this by an enemy which it is beyond
their power to reach, viz, field mice. Let
our beautiful owls live, and while owners
of plantations are comfortable in bed these
night birds will range their woods and
copses, deveuring the destructive little
rodents by the dozen, keeping them in
check in far more effectual way than is
to the owners possible, supposing they
spend thousands of pounds in the attempt,
and this too without costing them one half
penny. 1t is true saying, "Give dog
bad name and you may hang him." and
thus it is with our hawks and owls, al
though no one who has studied their habits
and mode of living can honestly lay any
thing to their charge; yet the hand of
every person who knows them not is rails
ed against them. Strange, is it not, that
blind prejudice should keep men so long
from seeing their own true interest =
Even so far back as 1869 Pennant, in
speaking of the short-eared owl, says,
The farmers about Washenbrough are
fond of the arrival of these birds, as they
clear the fields of mice, and will even fly
in search Of prey during the day, provided
the weather is cloudy and misty" 1t is
evident that even at this time the good
sense of those farmers has not extended
beyond their own neighborhood, for have
known instances where over dozen moles
have been got in the nest of sparrow
hawk by those who had killed the bird,
and this too without the idea ever occur
ring to those committing such deeds that
farmers fields would be kept clearer of
such creatures, and at much less expense
than their present mode of having to feed
and pay person for that purpose. What
will not prejudice make men do and sayo
All that | ask is, that those holding the
opposite opinion in this matter may ex-
anime each bird they kill, say for the next
twelve months, endeavoring at the same
time to lay aside their prejudice, and then
candidly give us the result and the ideas
thereon. Grant this and there is no fear
of the issue. Not that the subject would
then be finally settled. but that the proper
treatment of it would be begun, culminat-
ing, doubt not, in the universal condemn
alton of the present thoughtless, wasteful
and unnatural custom. Then will men
begin to see the beauties Of nature, and
that call things work together for good"
The ScottiM Naturalist.
*Vtstigss Of the Natural History Of Crea-
ton.