The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-06-13
birds and Emit.

| Last year there was great deal of com.
plant, especially among frnit-raisers for
marketing, of the depredations of the birds
| upon their strawberries and cherries, and
the major part of the indignation is expend-
| ed upon the robin. which no doubt stands
at the head OF the depredators. They will
take the first and best of the Strawberries,
and all the driving away seems to be of but
| little account. They are very bold and al
ways hungry but then they are so beauti-
full, Standing like soldier in the ranks
awaiting the word of command. On an
English bird cherry-tree upon our premises,
as Eany as fifty are to be seen at one time;
they never seem to get enough for more
than five minutes. The young ones espec--
tally are very fat and good eating; and as
they really cannot be regarded as nsectivO-
vous in their habits. as they appear to ferret
out principally the earth-worm, and may
eat any other large worm found crawling
on the ground, they ought to be shot and
put in the pot. We doubt il the numbers
returning in the spring would be much
diminished.
Many contrivances have been resorted to
to drive away birds from cherry trees. One
of these is to place stuffed cat, or good
counterfeit boy made up for the purpose,
upon each tree, which is said by some to be
effectual, but we know to the contrary.
Another, and this seems probable, is to place
in the tree small COOP with chicken in
it. Another, which several farmers and
truckers tell US is sure protection, is to
plant with the cherry trees couple of the
common blach mulberry, which, ripening
abont the same time as the cherries, offer
more tempting food to the birds, and the lat
ter are rarely disturbed. Another and later
method, and said to be a sure protection, is
to run cotton Irvine from end to end of the
leading outside branches, including the top
If this be so, then it would seem probable
that Irvine extended to four stakes, five feet
high, running two strands, one at top, the
other half way down, would keep off the
robin from the strawberry beds; but on IL
trial it proved an entire future.
We know how trying it Is to those who
raise fruit with view toprotit,o otherwise,
to see these voraeious depredators forage on
their cherry-trees and in strawberry-beds,
and we know of no present means that an
swers SO well to drive them away, not only
from the fruit but from the premises, as the
firing among them of powder, but this will
diminish their number as visitants of all
varieties, and may increase the number OF
insects. Just now birds are generally busy
bushes, &c. and just as the insect becom,s
more plentiful their appetite for seeds iii.
minish.
The birds upon our premises have become
very numerous, from the fact that firearms
are not used and the supply of early food is
exhaustless, as when it is too soon for the
insects they are literally supplied with bread
crumbs and different kinds OF seeds. When
in need OF food they all become tame and
fearlessly approach the feeding ground.
What was Lever seen upon our premises be-
fore in May, except once. is the goldfish,
which is supposed entirely to feed upon
seeds, but must have been attractad hither,
where there are no seeds, by the daily ra-
tions meted out. We never saw them here
before earlier than July, except on that one
occasion some eight or ten years ago.
We hope all gardeners and farmer. will
be merciful with the birds. We know they
are sometimes very ,nischerous. but they
are so beautiful, SO happy, SO tuneful, and
hover about their friends so confidently that
it seems cruel to njure then.-German-
tovR TeleQrQph.