Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-10-24
Protect the Birds.

Nv association AuOu-
bon societies is sending out warning
to farmers and orchardists against
the resurrection of the 17-year locust
that will occur in certain localities
Of this country next spring 1t is a
call to them to join in the protection
of the feathered crop guard, the wild
birds. 1t claims that only birds can
fight the periodical cicada Two giant
broods of these remarkable insects
come to ravage orchard vegetation
only after incubation intervals of
thirteen and seventeen years. They
are set down by scientists as due to
descend upon this continent within
the next six months. Only the birds
can be counted upon to eat up by
thousands the units in this Swarming
plague.
English sparrows, robins. wood
peckers. orioles, scarlet tanagers,
cuckoos. goldfinches and nuthatches
''''N> ''Ni' pioEVu ny
biological survey to have rendered the
greatest service in devouring these
periodical cicada on their last raids of
the country, according to the records
| that have been searched by the
Audubon workers. Eating the soft
bodies Of the locust pests on. their
wings and heads as well, cat birds,
flickers, towhees, gnatcatchers. mar
tins, peewees, thrushes, vireOs, chicka-
dees and tiycatchers are among their
other destroyers only two species
of all the birds examined at Washing
ton have been found not to feed upon
these destructive insects
tnnumbered hosts of these insects
VIII next year deposit their eggs in
tender sprouts of young trees to bring
forth the species seventeen wears
hence. Orchards will feel their des-
tructive power. Comprehensive state
laws for the protection of the insect
eating birds and widespread efforts to
shelter and feed them through the
storms of the coming winter. are ad-
Vocated
1t is not the farmer, as a rule. we
believe, who needs education regard
ing his feathered friends. but it is the
sportsman and the pot hunter. and
those who furnish wings and feath-
erS for great millinery establish
ments. that slaughter the birds. 1t
Il true. however, that farmers and
residents of villages and cities are not
yet awakened to the necessity for
making provisions for our bird friends
in the severe months of winter Sleet
storms and their resultant coatings of
ice sometimes cover every bud and
seed with CLASSY surface which the
small birds cannot penetrate. lasting
for many hours and sometimes several
days before sun and wind have re-
leased the food to suffering bird life.
On such occasions. our insect eating
friends should be cared for.
A lesson which sticks by the writer
was acquired in his early youth from
the practice of his father, who was
farmer. In the winter time, collec-
tions of clover. timothy and red-top
seed accumulated on the great barn
floor. This was shoveled up occa-
sionally and put in boxes or barrels
for future use. Sometimes it was,
fed to sheep. but frequently after the
big storms of winter it was carried
out in great basketfuls and thrown
upon the snow for the birds. They
came by hundreds and thousands to
feed upon the bounty of one who
thought of them and to whom it was
no expense to feed them. Other Incl
dents of his thoughtfulness for the
birds are recalled in the working of
the land in the spring. He never
ploughed out birds nest if discov-
cred while preparing his field for
crops. Sometimes ground sparrow
would fly out ahead of his team which
was instantly stopped. while he went
ahead to investigate and, if nest
was found, the team waited while he