Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-06-28
BOARD sulLeTiN FOR JUNE.
OUR SONG BIRDS


friends, and to get concensus Of opin-
ion nom our correspondents In relation
10 their usefulness. We are pleased 20
note the general interest taken by our
correspondents In the matter, and desire
to thank them for their replies. We also
note the fact that there is an apparent
misunderstanding as to the general habits
Of some Of the birds on the part of some
Of our correspondents. We have there
fore copied quite copiously from farmers
bulletin, No. 81, "Some Common Birds
In their Relation 70 Agriculture" issued
by the L. 5. Department Of Agriculture.
We believe the results obtained by the
expert examinations Of the stomachs OF
these birds are Of much value in determ-
ining their food habits. We also copy
sections from our state laws relating TO
the protection Of insectivorous birds.
LAWS RELATING To THE DESTRUCTION
or BIRDS.
Chapter 80, Of the Revised Statutes,
Sections %, "a and 25, a. amended In
1889, read AS follows:
"whoever kills or has In his possession,
except alive, any birds COMMONLY known
as larks, robins, swallows, spsrrows or
orioles or other insectivorous birds,
crows, English sparrows and hawks ex-
nor more than five dollars, for each such
bird killed, and the possession by any
person Of such dead bird Il prima fscie
evidence that he killed such bird. Who
ever at any time wantouly takes or de-
stroys the nest, eggs or unfedged young
OF any wild bird, except crows, hawks
and owls, or takes any eggs or young
from such nests, except for the purpose
Of preserving the same rs specimens, or
Of rearing said young alive, forfeits not
less than one dollar nor more than ten
dollars for each nest, egg or young, 50
taken or destroyed. Whoever carries or
transports from place 10 place any Of
the birds named herein during the period
In which the killing Of such bird Il pro-
hibited, forfeits i've dollars for each bird
so carried or transported"
While chapter IL, section 81, provides
hat II shall be the duty OF all teachers
In the public schools Of this state TO de-
vote not less than ten minutes each week
10 teaching 10 the children under their
charge the principles OF kindness to birds
and animals. Our law allows the sp-
OF commissions TO take birds
and eggs for scientific purposes, but such
are surrounded by many
GENERAL AVERAGE FOR THE STATE.
Condition of grass fields, los per cent.
Condition Of pastures, Ito per cent.
Amount Of young stock turned TO past
are: Colts. 80 per cent; young cattle.
l0s per cent; sheep, l05 per cent. Bios
som Of fruit trees: Apples, ITO per cent;
plums, lQS per cent; strawberries 100
per cent; other small fruits, lU per
cent. Acreage in potatoes, 10 per cent
corn, l01 per cent. Amount OF hay on
hand, l22 per cent.
OXFORD COUNTY.
ASpoyER.-ln regard TO the protection
OF birds, | believe that the wanton de-
struction Of birds Of any or all kinds
should be prohibited by law. To allow
shooting matches where the amount OF
game DESTROYED Is counted as gain 10 the
party bringing it, should be prohibited.
The improvement In firearms seems TO
have tended toward the destruction OF
animal life. Why Is Il necessary to de-
stroy a song bird or even hawk that Is
hunting after mice in the fields, as test
OF the good quality Of the gun or sure
Workmanship Of the man or boy: Part
ridges that used 10 be very plenty In
this vicinity are growing very scarce.
are Increasing; they are
scarce. however. Crows are not trouble
some il the corn is "tsrred" before plant
ing. Owls are seldom seen. The wood
peckers are growing less. Some new
species Of birds are seen occasionally.
How soon person notices the song OF
new bird. The forest trees In this VI
cinity are being destroyed again by the
especially where there Is
Young growth OF poplar and birch.
JOHN +. TALBOT Member
BsTuEL.-I think the Law should be
enforced on all who persist IN the wsnton
Of our birds. A good way
10 protect birds nests in trees near the
house from cats, IL TO tie strip OF mar
row chicken fence around the tree just
below the limbs, gather IL in at the top,
and spread the lower part out like an
umbrella, so that the cat cannot climb
over IL. III. r. MAAih.
DrxFrELp.-I believe that il more OF
The states money was expended for the
protection Of birds, and less for the care
Of fish and game, the masses would re-
eeiye much more benefit and those who
nav the taxes would receive some re-
In the protection our birds
would give US from injurious insects.
Protect the birds and every person who
plants a seed will receive the protection
nature designed be should, while from
The game and fish laws only few derive
4 benefit, and those largely non-residents
and men who pay no part OF the large
expense. 1Eo. H. Nh"AAN'
Wysr BEruEL.-Our birds must be
protected by our love for them As our
helpers in the noble work Of farming.
The robins and blackbirds are the leaders
In our vicinity, as they destroy 90 many
insects and are vigilant workers. Cater
n;llsrs are our pests and destroy much
sruit. Farmers must be warned so as to
understand this fact and night them. l
wish congress would make q law ina.
nests by roadsides should be destroyed
o. snad ss a pest. T.. p. GROVER.
DExNARK.-As write can see from
the windows crows hopping over the
fields picking the seed grssshoppers ana
insects of all kinds, while the rooin Is
full Of the same business. And, 10 snort,
we have no bird but Is the farmer
friend. A rigid bird Law rigidly enforc-
ed. think, would be of far more inter
est 20 farmers than many laws that are
made for outsiders benefit.
c. B. SMITH.
A. H. fk>~LS,sU