Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-20
PROTECT THE BIRDS.


PROTECT THE BIRDS.
They Are indispensable to the Protec-
ton of Crops.
The bird enemies of the cotton Doll
weevil are discussed in a short pamph-
let recently issued by the biological di-
vision Of the department of agriculture
The department is engaged in study
of the cotton pest from every phase
and exact information of this feature
of the investigation, the report says,
Is of inestimable value to the cotton
growers of the south. Already valua-
BILE results have been attained, and 1t
is the intention Of the department SCI
entists to continue their researches In
this direction.
The method by which the biological
experts of the department ascertained
what birds ate the cotton boil weevil
was by the study of the contents Of the
stomachs of birds. In 1904 the viscera
of 3S species of birds were examined,
and II species were found to have eaten
the boil weevil. Later investigation in
creased the number of species OF birds
known to feed on weevils to 20. In
1905 these Investigations were contin-
ued and special attention was devoted
to the season about which little was
known, from October to February. In
these months the stomachs of 62 spe-
cies Of birds were collected and examin-
ed Twelve Of these species and 10S
individual birds were found to have
eaten boil weevils.
The investigations so far have dis
closed that the following 2S species
feed on the boil worm: Kildeer quail,
nighthawk, scissor-t tailed flycatcher,
phoebe, least fiycatcher, cowbird, red
winged blackbird, meadow lark, west
ern meadow lark, orchard oriole, brew
er, blackbird great-tailed grackle,
Savanna sparrow, lark sparrow, white
throated sparrow, cardinal pyrrhuloxia,
painted bunting, dickcissel, white
rumped shrike, American pipit, mock
and black crested titmouse.
Thirteen Of these species, the report
says, feed on the boil weevil in the sum-
mer months, and II in the winter
months, two species feeding upon the
insect both summer and winter. About
Is per cent of the stomachs Of the birds
examined contained boil weevil re-
mains.
THE orioles prove to be the greatest
destroyers of weevils in summer" the
report continues, land their near rela-
tives the blackbirds and meadow larks,
in winter. Orioles, because of their
bright plumage, have until recently
been extensively used for millinery pur-
poses, and thus their numbers have
been much reduced. Thousands were
slaughtered, not alone in the United
States, but in Central America, where
they pass the winter. In view of their
great value as weevil destroyers every
effort should be made to prevent their
destruction for any other purpose
whatever The same suggestion ap-
plies with almost equal force to the
nighthawk, which is strictly insectiv-
orous and is shown to be an enemy Of
the boil weevil.
I'm the case Of an insect so destruc-
tive as the boil weevil, which has thus
far defied all attempts at restraint and
ic cfa m
new territory, every natural check to
it's increase should be encouraged.
Though the extent of the services rem
dered by the avian enemies Of the insect
may sometimes seem small or even in
significant in reality their cumulative
effect is very important.
Birds are not the least important of
the boil weevil's natural enemies, and
every species ascertained to fed on it
should be protected at all times and
places, not only in the cotton producing
area. but along their migration routes.
OF the birds known to eat the weevil
the following are at present not pro-
tected in Texas: Killdeer plover, cow
blackbird and great tailed grackle, or
'jackdaw' Others, including some Of
the most valuable species, though pro-
tected by statute, are often wantonly
destroyed through ignorance of the i'm
portant work they perform.
There can be no question as to the
usefulness of the killdeer, and ii should
be included among the species protect
ed at all seasons. The economic posi-
tion of the various species of blackbirds
is not so clear. A study of their food
shows that some species, notably
the Brewer blackbird and the great
tailed grackle, may at times be in
furious to corn and other grain.
However, the season in which black
birds render the greatest service in
destroying boil WeevilS, namely, win
ter and early spring, is not the sea-
son when they are likely to damage
growing crops.
In addition to protective bird
laws the whole community should be
informed as to the value of inSectiV-
orous species, with a view to the
cultivation of popular sentiment in
favor of their preservation. With
out this sentiment, and the co-opera-
ton on the part of the people. pro-
tective laws are of little value"
c. Hart Merriman, chief of the
biological survey, i'm his letter trans
mitting the pamphlet to the secre-
tary of agriculture, makes the rec
Ommendation that those birds which
are shown to destroy the boil weevil
be protected by stringent laws. This
suggestion is one of utmost impor-
tance TO the cotton growers of the
country. The department of scien-
fists are of the opinion that if these
birds are protected by the game laws,
and the laws stringently enforced,
there will be some decrease i'm the
ravages of the boil weevl i'm many
parts of the south. This protection,
it is explained. will not entirely wipe
out the weevil, neither will it imme-
diately stop the damage that is now
done by the cotton pest, but it will
i'm time go long way toward de-
creasing the ravages of the weevil.
LACONIC.-AS Napoleon was one
day passing in review of his troops
he came in front of an old and faith
full officer, who, perhaps from want
of brilliancy on the mans part, had
never been advanced beyond the
grade of captain, though he was well