The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1911-12-07
Birds and Insect Control.
Ry Prefesscr {. {. sanes-,
Department 81 Entsmolsev, a. & -, CO
lc1e. Stllsatsr Ckla.


In previous articles 70 the press l
have tried 10 promote civic improve
ment by advising the planting OF
shade trees. A nice Erowth OF numer.
Gus shade trees means not only an
initial step toward the control Of mist.
ure in agricultural fields, but 1t is
also an initial step in the control OF
Injurious insects in the same fields.
Many of our insectivorous birds nest
in trees, and IL proper nesting places
are located for them they will con.
gregate and brood there We have
few birds, such as the quail, meadow
| lark, plover, and killdee which nest
on the ground, that are very beneficial
to the farm on account Of insect con.
troll brought about through their food
habits. There are a number Of brids,
however, that are Of great Importance
which wopld be present on every farm
in the state Of Oklahoma II suitable
trees we're present in which they
might nest. A few OF these birds are
the mocking bird, scissor tail, cat bird,
wren, redbird, owls and hawks. The
last two mentioned groups of birds
/ represent a class which is often mis-
| taken by the farmer as entirely injur.
lous. There are two hawks in this
country-the sharp Skinned hawk and
the Cooper's haws-which are really
detrimental; the others prey almost
entirely upon such rodents as ground
squirrels, rats, and mice. The owls are
also in this same category. A very few
| birds are like the turtle dove in food
habit, they subsist almost entirely
upon seed ration. Happily, however,
all of our birds which subslst upon
seed rations generally use more weed
needs than they do of grain. Nearly
all of the birds which eat seeds at any
time of the year generally subsist al
most entirely upon insects during the
insect season.
All birds are exceptionally active
They are nervous and restless, being
Nnly quiet during the night when
asleep, except In the case of the owl,
in which instance the time of sleep
and activity is reserved. This pecu.
liar disposition gives rise to a great
appetite which is rarely appeased
Many birds daily devour their weight
in insects forms. This fact alone
should be sufficient for impressing the
person with the idea that the bird Is
a necessary adjunct in agricultural
pursuits. Few people realize the won.
derful powers of reproduction pos
sessed by some OF our common insect
pests. Study the boil worm for an in.
stant; Each female adult deposits
from five hundred to three thousands
eggs. In this state we have from three
to four generations per year. The cap.
ture OF pair of boil worms therefore
in the early spring would have a very
great potential value. The fact is we
do not ordinarily appreciate the fact
that we have few insects in compari.
son to what we might have provided
that they could ali develop and ma
ture.
All insects, like other animals, have
their enemies; and of course like 9TH
er animals they have certain friends
The house cat is particular friend to
injurious insects. feel safe In making
the statement that every house cat
living near bird harbors is responsible
for the death OF fifty birds per annum
In addition to this bad trait, the house
cat is also responsible for the dissem.
ination of fleas throughout the house
The dog is no less responsible in the
latter respect, but from general
standpoint, 1t is far superior as do
mestic animal.
The bird and the bee are the only
help in the country that works for
nothing and boards itself. Let us see
TO II that more OF this valuable help
has decent quarters on the farm. The
mere presence and music OF the birds
should alone be sufficiently attractive
for us to make suitable harbors for
them at our homes.