The National tribune., 1911-04-27
Facts About Birds.

The practical value of birds In con-
trolling insect pests should be moro
generally recognized. 1t may be an
easy matter to eXtermlnate the birds
in an orchard or grain field. but it is
an extremely difficult one to control
the insect pests. II is certain, too.
that the value OF our native sparrows
az weed destroyers is not appreciated.
| Weed seed forms an important item
of the Winter food of many of these
birds. and it is impossible to estimate
the immense numbers of noXious
weeds which are thus annually de-
stroyed.
II birds are protected and encour-
aged TO nest about the farm and gar
den, they win do their share in de-
stroying noxious insects and weeds.
A few hours spent in putting up boxes
for bluebirds, martins. and wrens will
prove a good investment. In many
States birds are protected by law. 1t
remains for argiculturists TO see that
the laws are observed.
Farmers are prone to look upon
woodpcckers with suspicion. When
the birds arc seen scrambling over
fruit trees and pccking holes in the
bark. it is concluded that they are
doing harm. Careful Observers how
ever, have noticed that, excepting a
single species, these birds rarely leave
any conspicuous mark on a healthy
tree. except when il is affected by
wood boring larva, which are accu-
rstely located, dislodgcd, and dcYoured
by the woodpcCker.
Crows cat fruit to some extent, but
coniine themselves for the most part
to wild species, such AS Jogwood. sour
gum, and seeds of the different kinds
of Sumac. They have also a habit OF
sampllpg almost everything which ap-
pears catablc, especially when food is
scarce.
In estimating the economic status of
the crow. the bird should receive
much credit for the insects which IT
destroys. In the more thlckly settled
parts of the country it probably does
more good than harm. at least when
ordinary precautions are taken to pro-
tcct young poultry and newly plant
cd corn against its depredations.
In view OF the fact that the robin
takes 10 times as much wild as cul-
tiyated fruit, it seems unwise to de-
stroy the birds TO save so little. Nor
is this necessary, for by q little care
both birds and fruit may be preserved.
Where much fruit is grown. it Is no
great loss to give up one tree TO the
birds. and in some cases the crop can
be protected BY scarecrows. Where
fruit-bearing shrubs and vines judi
ciously planted will serve for orna-
ment and provide food for the birds.
The Russian mulberry is a vigorous
grower and profuse bearer, ripeninG
at the same time as the cherry. SO
far as observation has gone, most
birds seem TO prefer its fruit to any
other. 1t is believed that a number
of mulberry trees planted around the
garden or orchard would fully protect
the more valuable fruits.
Many persons have written about
the delicate discrimination of birds
for choice fruit, asserting that only
the finest and costliest varieties are
selected. This is contrary to all care
full scientific observation. Birds, un-
like human beings. seem to prefer
fruit like the mulberry, that is
sHeetly insipid, or ono that has some
astringent or bitter quality like the
or holly. The so-called
black alder. which is a species of
holly, has bright scarlet berries, as
bitter as quinine, that ripen late in
October, and remain on the bushes
through November. Though frost
grapes. the fruit of the = Virginia
crceper. and several species of dog
wood arc abundant at the same time,
the birds eat the berries Of the holly
TO copsidera BILE extent. as shown by
the seeds found in the stomachs. I'll
is, moreover, a remarkable fact that
the wild fruits, upon which the birds
feed largely, arc those which man
neither gathers for his own use nor
adopts for cultivation.