, 1904-12-27
b|RDS
AND THEIR RELATION 20 INSECT
AND INSECT GROWTH AND
DETERMINATION.
As Insects Are Natural Enemies Of
Vegetation so Are the Birds the
Natural Enemies Of Insset-End-
less Warfare Waged Night and
Day BY the Pretty Things.

SN SA1S AAAcSSt oCplC
are increasing in extent each succeed
ing year makes it plain to us that
something must be done to prevent it,
and that quickly. We have found to
our sorrow that, although we are con-
%tinually making increased efforts to de-
stroy these pests, Il efforts avail but
little and the destruction OF our crops
goes on. What, then, is to be done?
How a We be released from this
ever-increasing struggle for existence?
The answer is plain. Heed the ad-
vice Of the naturalist who has made a
study of the life-histories of the var
ious other living creatures in the world
about us. Do not condemn what he
says without at least examining into
it a little.
In his desire for bird protection the
naturalist is not prompted by senti-
ment alone-far from it. Although
from the sentimental standpoint sole,
ly the friend Of birds would have suf.
ficient grounds for making such a re,
quest.
ITO appreciate the beauty OF form
and plumage of birds, their grace of
motion and musical powers. we must
know them" THE ease with which
we may become familiar with the
feathered neighbors robs ignorance OF
all excuses" Once aware OF their
existence, and We shall see a bird in
every bush and find the heavens their
pathway. One moment We may ad-
mire their beauty of plumage, the next
marvel at the ease and grace with
which they dash by us or circle high
overhead The comings and goings
of our migratory birds in springtime
and fall, their nest-building and rear
ing Of young, their many regular and
beautiful ways as exhibited in their
daily lives, STIR within us impulses for
kindness toward the various creatures
which share the world with us. But
birds will appeal to us most strongly
through their song. When your ears
are attuned to the music of birds, your
world will be transformed. Birds
songs are the most eloquent of Ma
lures voices: the gay carol OF | e
grosbeak in the morning. the changing
OF geese in springtime, the farewell OF
the b%luebird in the fall-how clearly
each n expresses the sentiment of
the hour or %season!"s
But II we cannot take up the subject
Of bird protection from the humane
standpoint, II we have no chord Of
sympathy or n Of honor remaining.
are We willing to adopt business prin-
ciples in our dealings with the birds?
Quoting from a paper by Prof. s. A.
Forbes, who has done much in the line
Of bird study in their direct relations
to man. we have the following: "Ex-
Guiding the inhabitants Of the great
seas, birds are the most abundant OF
the %vetebrata, occupying in this grea,
sub-kingdom the same prominent posi-.
ton that insects do among inverte.
brate animals" This position Of the
two groups in their respective divi.
ions Of the animal life Of the globe
cannot be due simply to chance. There
must be some connection between
them. What is it?
1t is needless here for me to state
that the insect life about us is plenti,
full and varied. We all know this to
be true. Nearly, if not quite. nine
tenths Of all animal forms belong here,
while the individuals Of many kinds
are in~calculable. We know also thai
their powers of reproduction are sim
ply wonderful, being limited only by
the amount of food available, etc.
Now, the disproportionate number OF
birds on the other hand, with their
universal distribution, the remark.
able locomotive power which enables
them readily to escape unfavorable
conditions and their higher rate Of life
requiring for their maintenance al
amount Of food relatively enormous
gives to them a significance which few
seem ever to have realized.
Briefly told, the economic relation
Of birds to man lies in the services
which they render in checking the un.
due increase of insects, the %devourine
of small rodents, in destroying the
seeds Of noxious weeds, and by acting
as ~scavengers on land and water.
Those who have studied the subject
carefully have estimated that a loss Of
nearly $500. OOO, 900 is sustained an
nually by the c%ultivators of the sol
from insect ravages in the United
States and Canada. This does not in
clude the damage done to ornamental
shrubbery, shade, and forest trees, no
to the grasses growing on ouI
prairies. But II insects are the nat
ural enemies Of vegetation, birds arr
the natural enemies of insects"
"In the air swallows and swifts are
coursing rapidly to and fro, eve In
pursuit Of the insects which consti
tute their sole food. When they re
tire, the nighthawks and whippoor
wills will take up the chase, catching
moths and other nocturnal insects
which would escape day-fying birds
Fly catchers lie in wait, darting from
ambush at passing prey. and with q