The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-03-06
Killing the Small Birds.

- may 10 considered somewhat out of
season tC call attention to the above sub.
Ject at the present time, but a short
newspaper article which has been handed
In to US meets our views so fully that we
wish to give it place in these columns.
Furthermore, the period when farm work
Is In measure suspended is Just the
time for farmers to consider aud discuss
the important questions, upon a rightful
understanding of which the success of
their industry 80 largely depends and,
oiiT word for it, the question under con.
sideration is not one Of the least in i'm
poEtsnca. The article is as fellows:
Farmers are greatly to blame for per.
mitting the Wholesale destruction of in.
sectiverous aud other birds which takes
place on our public holidays. More es.
pecially was this noticeable on the recent
Thanksgiving day, when the country was
overrun by youths and men carrying all
sorts Of firearms from the latest pattern
of breech.loaders down to tho antiquated
musket. Every description Of bird
unfortunate enough to cross the paths Of
these pot. hunters was blazed away at,
not the slightest thought being given as
to whether it was useful to the farmer,
and Of class protected (savo the mark j
BY law. It was, in the eyes of the shoot.
ers, something to shoot st and help swell
their bags, and, in nine cases out of ten
TO be flung away after being exhibited au
evidence Gf the provinces Of the sports.
man, they being of little or no value for
food.
Now, the great majority of the birds
killed were woodpeckers and other insec.
tiverous birds, and the killing of n single
bird means the multiplication of thous.
ands OF insects. Il is no wonder that
insect pests are Josrly on the increase
and more difficult to combat, when the
very means provided by nature to keep
them in check are ruthlessly destroyed
to provide very questionable amusement.
Had these innocant creatures been allow.
ed to live aud pre- pagate, it would not be
great length Gf time ere we should
have abundance Of feathered friends
anxious to do their duty in keeping
down our insect enemies. Whereas, if
this depretion is permitted, the conse.
quences will be very serious. Yet, in
the face OF this, many formers encourage
the wauton work instead OF prosecuting
the offenders or prohibiting them crossing
their lands.
we are quite aware that the majority
of farmers will hesitate before taking
such etePs, because they do not wish to
be considered mean By their acquaintap.
ces. Far better that, than be robbed of
their true friends, the birds. Let these
farmers ponder over the question, how
many grubs and insects one of these
birds will consume in day, and then
calculate how many in year? they will
be surprised at the quantity. Then think
over the number Of eggs those insects
will lay in season, and it will not take
him long to arrive at the conclusion that
he had better protect the birds.
Both in Canada and the United States
1t has been clearly demonstrated that in
orchards and other places where The birds
had been encouraged and protected, good
crops bad resulted. The subject is one
which is earnestly recommended for dis.
cussion by farmers clubs and other SINH
lar organizations.-Erchange.