Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-01-27
More About the Robin
SOUTH HANCOCK, Jan. Is, 1904.

SOUTH HANCOCK, Jan. rs, 1904.
| To the Editor of the American:
Below are two clippings cut from thu
| Rural Nep- Yorker this mouth, January
taken from the editorial columns. Thos'
readers of THE AMERICAN who reat
with interest" my several articles issl
| spring relative to the "robin". will sci
| In these clippings q corroboration and
condensed Federation OF my statement.
at that time. 1t should be knosn that
the Rsral Ne,c- Yorker has the hig hesl
standing OF any agricultural paper In thu
United States, and is thus the standard oil
authority.
Some readers attempt TO DEFEND the robin
asainet the charge Of being q fruit thief by
quoting figures from ornithologists' reports
These gentlemen Killed many robins In various
states, and examined the contents of their
stoniachs. They found comparatively low
per cent. of cultivated fruit. and therefore con
clude that the robin is not robber.
The great trouble with such figures Is that the
birds are usually taken In the woods-far from
fruit farms or gardens. Let the ornithoiogists
kill the same numoer of robins within gunshot
of cherry tree or small fruit patch, and see
what they fnd.
Who will pay attention to these careful fig
ures when he sees, with his own eyes, the birds
stuffing on the fruit? At one time farmers
were satisfied with such arsuments--at ieast
they aid not talk back. Vow they know better.
and will take fewer things for granted.
Fruit growers In New Jersey are especially
stirred up over the depreda,ioBs OF the robins.
These birds steal a vast amount OF fruit. and In
some places are becoming so numerous that
they threaten to drive fruit growers out OF bust.
ness. Connecticut friend who has been
through New Jersey has this TO say about our
remarks on pages;
a state ornitholo. lat should he appointed
jnst as We have a state pomologi-t here in Con
Bt eticutl whose fret pFincipsl business II shall
be, as rapidly and thoroughly As he can. to tar
ulste exact data on the contents of the crop of
every bird about which there is any question !;
being particular to cover. just as You say, diff
ferent locations, environments. seasons and
every modifying circumstance. Our prest OF
ignorance OF exact fact Of the relative good and
bad feeding of any bird Is ridiculous.
fruit grower will say to this: II do BOT need
any state ornithologist to tell me that the robin
Is robherr' That ie true enough, but In order
10 remedy the evil we must convince lot Of
people who have only sentimental idea of the
robin and his work.
You cannot get these people to take any In
tsrest In your troubles uutil you ean convince
them with facts and figures. They might not
accept your statemei t. direct, but ne part o
an Official reportthey wonld strike harder. We
think such state officer. II he suenGed 10 his
business, would be 8 real help to fruit growers.
The suggestions OF that "Copnectit ut
friend" Would, | think, work well here ia
Maine, II we could only get public senti-
meDt strong enough to bri9g such an
appoint ment about. My object in keep
ing up that discussion last spring to such
a length was for the exclusive purpose to
awaken interest, and thus educate the
public mind to correct ideas, which was
perfectly aware was be first step towards
a reformation Of our laws relative to these
b rds. Z. w. WOOSTER