The Newtown bee., 1895-06-28
Editorial Ink Drops.
THE SCARCITY or BIRDS.


 Perhaps 1t has not been generally noticed that there is marked scarcity this season of many varieties of birds, which are usually plentiful enough and sometimes almost considered pest in the cherry and strawberry season, partic- ularly the robin. The openlng of spring this year, was not as marked as usual by the ordinary number of Phebes, robins, blue birds and thrushes. We have not seen one of the latter this season. The weather bureau calls the attention of it's correspondents to the statements of some eminent ornithologists to the fact that the complaint is quite general, though in some localities they are thought to be as plentiful as ever. The scarcity is true of those birds that winter in the south, while those that winter in the West In- die9, comprising the warblers, fiycatch. CTS, sparrows, etc., are in their usual numbers. It is thought the extreme cold weather last winter may be an im- portant factor in the case. The practi- cLl lesson to be drawn from the case is a further increase in the number of the in- sects which are the natural food of these birds. Almost everything now raised ex- cpt corn and the grains have to be either sprayed or dusted with poison in some form or get doubtful crop. If farm CT has nervous pair of oxen he must either grease them over or spray with a kerosene emulsion before yoking them up. If he wants his cows to keep up their milk the same is necessary and what will come next?
 Perhaps this is good opportunity to say word for the much abused crow. The agricultural department at Wash. ington has been making some studies Ill the food of hawks and crows, with the result that very much of their food con- sists of grubs of all kinds, particularly the cut worm. Various moths which of transformation, and others of this class are destroyed by them in such num- bers that were they exterminated we should see very marked increase both in numbers and variety of this class of pests. The corn pulled up is sort of toll which every farmer should be will ling to pay for their friendly services. The number of birds eggs and young birds destroyed is very much exaggerated and misrepresented. Surely better Knowledge of the farmers friends, the birds, should be more general and their security and protection insisted on by every one.
 In order that all it's employees may en- joy holiday on the Glorious Fourth THE BEE will appear next week on We'd nesday evening. Will correspondents kindly assist us, sending their contribu- tions as far as possible day earlier than usual?
 It Is understood "the Young America" element in Newtown Street and vicinity are preparing for grand splurge, the night before the Fourth, with the usual seizure of gates, ,etc. If SO, 1t behooves the residents to make fast their movable property. We like to see ssthe boysn have a good time, but when it comes to the destruction of property, it is time to halt. It may be we'll for local constables to sleep with one eye open.
 
 In this part of Connecticut leading farmers estimate the hay crop will be about one-half; in some sections two- thirds of an average harvest. Hay al- ready has advanced $2 per ton at whole sale, and advance orders at from $14 to $l6 per ton are declined. If we are fa- vored by later rains, the shortage may to some extent be made good by a i heavy growth of rowen. This may be supplemented also by putting in fodder corn at once. It Is going to pay to save | as much as possible in this direction.
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 pr Max Nordau has strong article in | the July Forum on 1.-The Moral Devas- tations of Degenerate Books, :" the main tenor of which thoughtful readers will heartily endorse. Among other things he says; "To recommend degenerate books to neurotic or hysterical readers Is not only to vaccinate but to inoculate them. There Is here certainly a con- of the disease. An unhealthy imagination finds in the wild lubrica- tions of the degenerates welcome nour- ishment and pattern zealously to be Every dormant inclination is awakened and monstrously developed by 1 this sort of reading. Far from causing a satisfaction of these morbid tendencies that shall no longer seek perpetuation in deeds, such reading only strengthens what becomes an imperative necessity to commit crime and immortality. I could cite dozens of cases from the criminal records of the past few years where