The Worcester spy., 1899-07-25
MANS SALVATION.
Birds and Toads Are Safeguard Against
Starvation.


DR.. Hodge spoke on "Bird study" and
said in substance: The struggle for ex-
tstence is not between man and the
lower animal. but between man and
bacteria and insects, and unless it were
for the birds and toads, man would be
starved from the earth.
Dr. hodge had a tiny humming-b bird
an large box, and allowed 1t to come
out and suck honey from a couple OF
nasturtiums on his coat. The bird ap-
peared perfectly. at home, and perched
on DIR. Hodges finger without the least
fear. When 1t had had enough, it went
back into the box
! should rather have every child have
q hunnaing- bird rest on his finger than
to learn the name OF every blessed bird
on earth, said DR.. Hodge, continuing:
The birds do the greatest part in keep
ang down the insects and disagreeable
InammaIia.
The important question in the biology
world?
The paramount services Of birds to
men is their power to destroy insects.
The world is full Of possibilities. Let
US not bemoan the lack of forests, but
goJto work. A single pine seed prop
erlys cared for will in an incredibly
short time cover the continent. A sim
gle pair Of blue robin eggs properly
cared for, would in ten years produce
enough robins for every child In the
world to have pair; in so years there
would be 1876 400, 600, 900 0OO. 900. oOO, 600,
600, ,00o, 900, 900 robins.
The question is, why have we not
more birds. or is it that the natural lin
II of the increase has been reached
Birds have many enemies that children
should learn of, and nowhere are they
better told of than in Hornibys "The
destruction Of our birds and animals, I
published by the New York Geological
society. In a number of states the
birds have decreased almost 40 per cent
Massachusetts had a decrease of 27 pei
cent and Connecticut rs per cent. II
would be well to instill into every child
the idea to put stop to this decrease
by preventing the causes.
Climatic influences are causes of this
decrease. Some birds are killed off by
rain and hail storms, and in sleet
storms. and during the past year mil
Mons Of the migratory birds perished
W cold In the south. The study oj
She amount Of bird food in the cities in
Wnich the schools are. would be a good
thing for children. In case Of drought
in their breeding grounds, the youne
die Of thirst and hunger.
Many Of the fedglings go to feed yag.
ADond cats. The way to stop this Is
to get rid Of yagabond cats. A cat X
usually responsible for the death 81
about 50 song birds in year Millions
Of birds have been destroyed ANNUALLY
for millinery purposes. Collectors q,
bird skins and eggs and careless sports
men need instruction about birds. Fol
school uses, egg shells from which tht
bird has been Matched, are much more
interesting than an egg shell that ha,
been blown. Collecting, If done a
all. by killing live birds or eggs, should
be done by responsible persons who car
realize the value Of single song bird
or insect eater.
English sparrows are responsible fo
the decrease OF many of the birds abou
the city, and methods for Its extarmi
nation are discussed In "The Englisl
Sparrow in America" published by tn,
department Of agriculture, division o
orthinology and mammailogy bulletin
No. /.
But do not advocate the destruction
of the nest and eggs. There is some
thing sacred about birds nest, ii