Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-07-06
Something About Birds,

DR.. Trimble having made the subject of birds
and insects. as they relaie 70 the garden and
orchard, matter of special study aud obser-
walton, the following extracts from his ad-
dress in relation thereto, as reported in the
Newark Advertiser. cannot fail TO interest all
parties. and especially those who would pro-
tect the birds, as the fruit-Rrowers co.work-
ers, Notwithstanding they eat some fruit for it
should be remembered that they feed more or
LEES on insects and their Larvae for man.
months OF the year, while i. is comparativeiy
q short space of time that they peck at fruits
of the different species and various varieties.
Would il not be better to employ persons for
few days to keep them away from fruit plots,
than to engage in their ind User inmate des.
tructionl So it seems to many VINO have con.
sidered tn is matter in the light of rural and
horticultural economy
Of the Baltimore Oriole, that beautiful bird
and charming songster, DIR. Trimoe said:
'tThey are becoming numerous, and when
they FIRST arrive they feed on leaf-curtling
caterpillars, so injurious to fruit and orna.
mental trees and shrubs also npon the canker.
worm, that destructive pr st. and later in the
season upon the drop worm" He stated that,
by the aid Of the microscope, he had beea able
TO prove positively that the orioles feed upon
that terrible enemy of the truit-grower-the
posed to be that OF curculio. was found
amongst the commin uted contents of the crop of
one of these birds and the microscope enabled
him to count the 147 lenses in one of the eyesshe
exact number known to make the eye of this
particular species of the curculio
The D0,cny Woodpecfsr is one Of the most
ValnaOle hlros OF cur country. 1t knows
where to find. and is busy in searching out,
the applewerm-the second In importance OF
The insect enemies, which, with the curculio,
are the chief cause OF the ruin OF the fruit bus
mess, especially in our State.
The Ii tile Chick-a-dee also feeds upon the
apple.worm. but finds 1t accidentally, and not
by boring for 1t, as does the downy wood
pecker.
The Cedor Bird, sometimes called the Cherry
Bird, (Canker Bird) said Doctor T., is a gross
feeder, consuming immense numbers OF canker
and the yellow bird, or finch, resemble each
other in one respect, both remaining in flocks.
till midsummer, and are thus on hand in great
numbers when their services are most required;
while most other birds are at home attending
to their domestic duties. The cedar birds are
found In New York and Philaaeiphia In large
flocks in June, after the worms.and If they
could be properly protected by closing the
parks, SO that they should not be frightened
away by the people, they. would do much
towards Kidding those cities OF these pests.
The yellow birds. IN immense fiocks are found
in wheat fields where the nudge Is so destruc.
tive. They are In pursuit OF the larvR OF these
flies In the heads OF the wheat, while the grain
Is in the milk; and farmers sometimes have
supposed these birds are the cause of the
trouble, not knowing that they are their best
friends.
small birds, and are exclusively insectivorous,
most of which are very beautiful, and many
OF them sweet singers. In the spring they
the ia il. as they emierate to the South. tney
stop and feed on the late brood OF Palmer
worms that so infest our elm and maple trees
thus becoming exceedingly fat.
TIL WhippoorriU is nocturnal bird, and its
be ak IL 60 formed that IL takes in moths as q
net takes In fish, The eyes OF fl lies enable
them TO see all around them, and the muscular
force OF their wings is SO quick that they can
dodge the rain drops in a shower; yet the swal-
low and the house martin feed almost exciu.
sively on winged insects " hich are taken on
the wing by these sRral feeders.
The foregoing are good and substantial rea.
sons why birds should be preserved. Let
these sufice for the present; ana there can
hardly be doubt that, when all the reasons
for preserving birds are weighed against the
few for destroying them. they will be permit
ted to live. and sing 70 delight the lovers Of Ma
ture, as well as to destroy vermin.-Fdrm and
Fireside.