SIR,—Your correspondent "Loosestrife " gives in the Spectator of June
21st the contents of a keeper's larder which he came across recently somewhere in Berkshire. May I point out that owls are specially protected in this caunty, so the man who killed them ought to be prosecuted ? (The law should he amended at once, making it possible to prosecute the keeper's employer as well in such cases.) As to the kestrels killed, no keeper in these days should be allowed to shoot a kestrel" one of the most useful birds we have in its relation to agriculture; a bird certainly deserving of very strict protection." (I quote Mr. W. E. C,ollinge's opinion.) As to the jays and magpies, which are amongst our most beautiful birds, I fear that keepers will be allowed to exterminate them, useful birds as they are; indeed, they were nearly exterminated In many parts of England before the war. As the number of shooting syndicates increases, it will ho more difficult to protect any kind of bird, for a syndicate troubles about nothing but the game-bag. One begins to wonder how the breaking up of the big estates is going to affect our wild life, and especially animals and birds which are now on the verge of extinction. Bad as things have been in the past, I fear worse in the future.—I am, Sir, &c., lrycsham, Monmouth. FRANK C. A. BORRET1P,
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