The Field Observer
The inquest into the food of the little owl was carried out with immense thoroughness by the Trust for British Ornitho- logy; and that it is only harmful in the breeding season (when harm is most harmful) may be taken as proved. Even then the injury to other birds is not extensive. The one objection to the report is that it seems to discredit field observation, as, to give a specific example, the famous observa- tions of Sir George Courthopc and his keepers. It is not less " scientific " to observe a bird in the field than to cut it up in a laboratory or analyse its pellets there. You cannot discredit a particular experience by contemning those who made it on the grounds that thcy did not happen to be men of science. Good eyesight and honest report are not the exclusive property of bachelors of science.
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