Omaha daily bee., 1897-06-27

insects. Crows eat some fruit, but coufns
themselves for the most part to the villa
species. In estimating the economic statuh
Of the crow Il must De acknowledged that
he does some damage, but, on the other
hand, he probably does more good than
harm in the destruction 81 insects; at least
when ordinary precautions are taken to pro-
tect young poultry and newly planted corn.
The red-winged, or swamp. blackbird is
found all over the United States. Its nest
Is built near standing water. In tall grass or
rushCs. He Is said TO have caused great
damage to grain In the west and south. He
feeds largely on vegetable matter, although
he also takes insect food, and so far may be
considered beneficial, Stomach examinations,
however, disclose the fact that his grain food
Is surprisingly small, The most important
Item OF this birds TODD is weed seed. which
forms practically the whole food in winter
and about 81 per cent Of the whole years
fare, Nearly seven-eighths of the rcd-wing's
food Is made up OF weed seed or OF iusecte
injurious to agriculture, indicating unmis-
takably that the bird should be protected, ex-
abundant.
THE MEADOW LARK.
The meadow lark is a common bird. occur
ring from the Atlantic coast TO The great
plains. The meadow lark is almost wholly
beneficial. although a few complaints have
been made that II pulls sprouting grain. and
one farmer claims THAI IL eats clover seed.
AS a rule, however. 1t is looked upon with
favor and is not disturbed. More than half
Of his food consists of harmful insects; its
vegetable food is composed Of either uoNious
weeds or waste grain, Although an insect
eater, he is able TO subsist on vegetable food.
and is not forced to migrate further than IL
necessary to find ground free from snow.
The meadow lark is entitled to all protection.
Brilliancy of plumagc, sweetness OF song
and food habits to which no exception can
be taken are some OF the striking character
isttcs of the Baltimore or!ole, Catcrpillars
constitute the largest Item of It's fare. 1t
eats other noNious insects, including plant
and bark lice, both very ha' mful, but SO
small and obscure as to be passed over UNI
noticed by most birds. 1t does practically
no harm to fruits and vegetables.
The crow blaCRblrd or one of its sub
species is a familiar object in all Of the states
east of the Rocky mountains. II is a resi-
dent throughout the year as far north az
southern Illinois, and in summer extends its
range into British America. In the Miseis-
Sippi valley 1t is one OF the most abundant
birds, preterring to nest in the artificial
groves and windhrakes near farms instead
of the natural timber which it formerly
used, 1t breeds also in parks and near
buildings, often in considerable colonies.
After July it disappears during the mating
period, returning In great floCkS in August
and September, before going southwark. lilo
has been accused of stealing grain and fruits
and robbing nests; but stomach examination
of 2,55S specimens showed nearly one-third
of its food consisted OF insects. mostly in
furious, and that it did not rob nests to any
important extent.
Large foCk1 of crow blackbirds no doubt
do considerable injury to grain crops, and
there seems to be no remedy except the de-
struction of the birds, which is In itself en-
penslye. During the breeding season. how
ever, the species does much good by eating
insects and by feeding them to It's young,
which are reared almost entirely upon this
fnnl Tho hfrI JN,p III, .,y,,t,.4 80, -
good in spring, when it follows the pillow in
search Of large grub worms, of which it is
so fond that it sometimes literally Grams its
stomach full of. them.
There are some forty species of sparrows.
They are great seed eaters, but do not con-
fine themselves to a vegetable diet. During
the summer they eat insects, the insect diet
as a whole being beneficial to agriculture.
The great bulk of vegetable food is made up
OF grass and weed seed.
CATBIRDS AND SWALLOWS.
1t is estimated that the snowbird, in Iowa
alone, consumes one-fvurth an ounce of weed
seed in n day. Estimating ten birds to the
square mile, and that snOwbirds remain in
their winter range 700 days, would make a
total of 1850, 600 pounds Of seed consumed
III Il single season. And these figures GER
tainly fali short Of the reality. All over the
country are vast numbers Of these seed
caters at work during the colder months
N'"N'' 'N-NN 49, - WY Va "SiSN Nhut NN9I
less plants.
There are seven common species of swal-
lows, four of which have, to some extent,
abandoned their primitive nesting habits
and attached themselves to the abode of
man. A notable characteristic of several
CT the species is their attachment TO man.
IN the eastern part of the country the barn
swallow now builds exclusively under roofs,
having entirely abandoned the rock caves
and cliff in which, 1t formerly nested. More
recently the cliff swallow has found a bet
ter nesting site under the caves of buildings
than was afforded by the overhanging cliffs
Of earth or stone which it once used and
to which it still resorts occasionally in the
east, and habitually in the unsettled west.
The martin and white-beilied swallow nest
either in HOUSES supplied for the purpose, in
abandoned nests of woodpeckers or in nat
uIal Crannies in rocks. Their food con-
sist1 mainly Of smaller insects captured in
midail, most OF these insects being either
injurious or annoying. 1t is a mistake 10
tear down their nests from the caves of a
barn. On the contrary, they should be en-
cOuraged to build their nests there by cut
ting a small hLie in the gable end OF the
barn.
The catbird, like the thTnsher. is a lover
Of swamps, and delightG to make its home
in a tangle of wild graDevines, greenbriers
and shrubs, where IL is safe from attack
and can find it's favorlte food in abundance.
Ants, beetles, caterpillars and grasshoppers
constitute threc-fOurth3 of the animal food,
the remainder being made UP of bugs, mis-
cellaneous insects and spiders. One-third
Of the vegetable food consists Of cultivated
fruits, or those which may be cultivated,
such as Strawberries, raspberries and black
berries; but while We debit the bird with
the whole Of this, it is probable-and in
the eastern and well-woodcd parts of tho
country almost Certain-that a large part
! was obtained from wild vines. Although the
catbird does some narm to fruits 1t does
far more good than harm in Othsr ways.
OTHER INSECT DESTROYERS.
While the brown thrashsr prefers a
thiCkly grown retreat 1t sometimes builds
in a part of the brush distant from trees.
Its food consists OF both fruit and insects.
On the whole, as an insect destroyer it's
work is beneficial. 1t is a useful bird and
probably does just as good work in its Sc
Guided retreats az i; would about the gar
den, for the swamps and groves are no doubt
the breeding grounds OF many insects that
migrate thence and attack the farmers
crops.
The diminutive house wren frequents barns
and gardens, and particularly old orchards,
where the trees are partially decayed. AS
regards food habits, it Is entirely beneficial.
only about 2 per cent Of it's food being vegs-
table. Wrens ate Industrious fOrGgers,
searching every tree, shrub or vine for cater
pillars, examining every post and rail OF the
fence, and every Granny in the wall for in
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