Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1902-09-19

The Value. Destruction and Prsssr
walton Of Birds

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From the manuscript Of book on
general biology, by PROT. II. A. Sur
face, department of zoology, the
Pennsylvania state college, State
College, Pa.
The economic features of birds;
Injurious. A few birds destroy
poultry, but the gOshawk, great
horned owl, and osprey are the only
species Of raporlal birds that are
more Injurious than beneficial. Many
eat fish; others eat fruits and grain,
but of the birds around the farm
none but the English sparrow justi-
fes suppression. All others more
than pay for their slight damage bg
destroying obnoxious insects, weed
seeds, etc.
Beneficial. Birds yeild to man
kind eggs, feathers, down and choice
| flesh food, besides guano-a valuable
fertilizer. They are the chief natural
factors in suppressing insects and
certain weeds, and there are none
that do not have some beneficial feat
ures. Also, their ethical value and
the pleasures given by their songs
and presence should not be forgotten.
In nature they perform an import
ant function scattering seeds.
1t is enormously thought that the
bee bird, or king bird, should be
exterminated because it eats bees.
Careful examinations of scores Of
stomachs have proven that it eats
but few workers. 1t eats many
robber flies, which destroys bees, and
it aids ia suspressing many other
kinds of obnoxious insects. It should
be preserved, even in the apiary, for
its economic effects. Many other
species of birds deserve specific mem
tion, but information concerning them
can freely be gained from the publi-
cations of the division of biology, of
the United States department of ag-
riculture, Washington, d. G.
The decrease of birds: From the
second annual report of DR.. VIM. T.
Hornaday, director Of the Bronx,
N. Y, Geological Park, we learn
that the decrease of birds in Pennsyl-
vania during the last fifteen years
has been fifty-one per cent. They
are deceasing rapidly, while injurious
insects are seriously increasing. One
reason for the increase of insects is
the decrease of birds. For both their
ethical and economic features our
native birds should be preserved.
The history Of the native organisms
of American will become the same as
that of the European species in their
country. Twenty-three kinds of
birds, in the British Isles alone, have
become exterminated during the past
century.
Among the greatest causes of the
decrease of birds are the actions of
mankind, either directly in destroy
ing them, or indirectly in failing to
provide for their preservation.
Some of the steps that can be taken
to induce birds to colonize about the
premises are the following:
I. Do not shoot them or permit
them to be stoned or frightened.
2. Erect nesting boxes. In these
ten or more species may nest.
3. Prohibit unusual noise around
the premises during the nesting sea-
son, particularly while birds are
selecting sites for nests.
A. Provide nesting material for
use in constructing nests.
g.. Put out trays Of water and mud
for robins, swallows, etc., to use in
building.
6. Erect and preserve old posts,
stumps, and logs with holes in them.
7. Suppress prowling cats and
dogs.
8. Plant a few extra fruit trees
and berry bushes. Give the birds
their share of fruits to pay for de-
stroyed insects.
9. Plant some Of the native fruit
bearing shrubs and trees around fen
ces. These may be service berry,
raspberry, blackberry, elder berry,
wild cherry, choke cherry, mulberry,
haw, grape, and blackberry.
10. Permit a secluded corner to
grow up as a thicket for shy birds.
II. Feed and water during times
Of scarcity Of food and water, both in
winter and in summer. Give grain
in the straw to quail in winter.
y. Discourage egg collecting and
needless slaughter Of birds.
10. Discover and check their nat
ural enemies, which vary with
locality.
CONTINUED on Second Page.)
Fortune Fayors a Texan
Having distressing pains ia head,
back and stomach. and being with