Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-12-29

Injurious Birds.

ltmust be admitted, think, by most observ-
ers that there are injurious birds. And yet
among these there are some, if not all. thsi
have valiSnt defenders. The number OF spe-
oies that may be set down as injurious is not
very large but some Of them are very numer-
Gus in individuals, and as they asstmble in
large flocks they may do considerable damage.
There are common in Vermont four different
species Of blsckhirds. Some Of these do very
little damage TO the crops, and do much good by
destroying insects. So much evil do they pre-
vent that in some cases where they have been
plsced under the ban and unfortunately
slaughtered, there have followed extensive and
destructive depredations from gTuhs snd worms.
But the most common Of sll the Bsckbirds is
thst called Crow Blackbird. These birds des-
cend upon the cornfelds in large hocks, pulling
up and swallosing the grain with great gusto,
and sgain when II is in the milk they tear open
the huska and prevent many m ear from ever
coming TO maturity. Aud yet with all their
faults they destroy great many insects
A. to the Grow there is considerable discus-
sion Dr. Brewer conieBds in an srticle in the
Atlantic Monthly, that the Grow Is, on the whole
q useful bird but other nstursIis;s doubt the
correctness Of this conclusion and it seems
ressonsble to believe tBst the Grow does far
spring Grove live almost wholly upon insects,
and Of course during this time they are beneficial.
In May or early June they busy themselves in
pulling up corn, sometimes making il necessary
TO repaut large tracts. Certainy they are
none other than thieves during this time About
this same time too they are watching the small
er birds in their domestic operations. and when
the eggs are laid and the young Matched they
make a meal from item. Ii what has been said
in regard TO these smaller birds be true, it is
easy to see that in destroying their eggs and
young the crow is preventing the destruction Of
myriads Of insects and SO Is most harmful
bird at long as ne continues in this predatory
work Mr. Samuels thinks that CROW. taxes
about eight ounces Of food daily sud 60 be is
able Of course to eat no small number Of birds
and eggs during the season. Mr.. Samuels cal
cul,tion gives, &, the result Of one days work
for 9 CROW, the destruction Of birds that could
fairly be presumed to have destroyed during the
reason nearly 100000 insects had they lived
After the corn has grown too large and the birds
have flown from the nest the crow .be,skes him
self again to the search for insects and becomes
useful member Of society. But. as his evil
deeds are far greater than his good ones, we
must set him down as an outlaw An ingen-
iour mode Of catching these birds is given by
Wilson. live crow is securely fa,tened 10 the
grouui with his feet upward. In this condi-
ton bis cries are loud and frequent. As soon as
other crows fly down about him be grasps them
hoping to relieve himself Of the letters that hold
him to the ground, and in this way the prisoner
may be taken and the trap is all set for another
The Blue Jay is guilty Of similar misdemean-
srs, for this bird delights to rob the nests Of the