The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-02-07
(By Miss Estella Crowder.)

]Q IRDS are of two-fold value te
- man. They are of benefit be
cause of their intellectual and aes
thetic worth. But their greater ser
vice lies in their power to destroy
some of mans enemies, insects.
Animals have played a large part
in the development of the human
race. The first step toward higher
civilization was made when the first
animal was subjugated and domesti
Gated. And SO on up the ladder Of
civilization. Nearlyq every epoch Of
cultural advancement has been mark.
ed by an advance along the line OF
animal domestication and plant cul-
tivation.
Along with the development of the
home and nation idea comes a de-
velopment of the aesthetic in man s
nature. There comes a great long
ing for the beautiful. Men of genius
create masterpieces in music, art and
literature. Men of ordinary ability
live again their own ideals and long
ings in contemplation of these. But
all turn to Nature for the highest
satisfaction. All are alive, or should
be, to her works of art. The poet is
inspired to sing a beautiful song up
on noting the rare coloring of the
orioles wing. Even the weary
Willie" arouses himself from his
british stupor as scarlet tanager
| fits by or a meadow lark sings his
morning hymn. God speaks to us
thru these beings and a Utopia, in
this world, will be reached only
when we come into full knowledge
of and sympathy with these humber
creations.
The economic value of birds is
even greater than the aesthetic. The
question comes, what do birds do in
the world? For answer, let us look
at portion of bird chart prepared
by pupils in the Blackfoot schools.
The portion given represents week
of observation.
Bird and Food.
Maybe: Decayed matter, small
birds, eggs.
Black Junco: Insects and insect
eggs, street refuse.
Owl: English sparrows, cut worms
and noxious mammals.
Red Headed Woodpecker: Insects.
Bluebird; Insects.
Wild Duck: Grains and grasses
Darling Hawk: Small birds and
animals.
Blackbird: Worms and insects.
Catbird: Insects and worms.
Song Sparrow: Insects and seeds.
Meadow Lark: Insects.
Mourning Dove: Worms, seeds,
insects.
Chickadee: Insects.
OF the birds mentioned we find
but two whose natural diet is other
wise than beneficial. Take these few
birds noted and observe their beau
ties, song, foods and ways. Then
think of the thousands of species
at work on every farm and garden
in the land. We then have an idea
of their use. Birds are of the great
est value to every agricultural COM
munity. They have developed thru
geological ages to fit the exact con-
ditions of life on the various great
divisions of land.
Apply the case to conditions IN
southern Idaho. On nearly every
farm we find gardens. In fact, the
greater mass of the people depend
upon these truck gardens for susten-
ance in both winter and summer.
Turnips, cabbage, potatoes, corn and
are the staple vegetables
produced. Almost every farmer has
difficulties in gardening.
The tent caterpillars and plant lice
devour his cabbage. The potato
beetle renders part of the potato
crop unfit for the market. The cod
ling moth infests the apples. Cut
worms, caterpillars and mosquitoes
make trouble while grasshoppers
ruin. entire acres of produce. The
farmer puts out poisons perhaps,
frets until his face is in wrinkles,
but never once thinks of turning for
aid to his best helpers, the birds.
Of these birds inhabiting this sec
ton we find the following assist
ants. the robin, bluebird, catbird,
wren, chickadee, swallow, grosbeak,
crow, blue jay, redwing, oriole,
lark, phoebe, downy wood
becker, flicker and screech owl.
We find that the per cent of ami
nal food as taken by these birds is
nowhere less than twenty-five per