The pioneer express., 1912-05-10

enable them 70 % increase that their
warfare against the Insect hosts shall
be thoroughly effective. This can best
be effected In four ways:
ID By providing artificial nesting
sites for the species that nest in hol-
low trees or In the cornices and cavi-
ties Of buildings. To some slight ex-
tent this is already being done In
this country. but to obtain appreciable
results provisions must be made on
. much larger scale. It is we'll within
the capabilities Of the average farmer
boy, when furnished with few neces-
sary tools. to make nesting boxes for
some OF our most valuable species,
as bluebirds, swallows. wrens. and
woodpeckers. When put up near the
farmhouse these not only serve to at
tract birds and provide for their in
crease, but add much to the interest
and pleasure of the household. The
making of artificial nesting boxes has
become an established industry in Ger
many, where the need of increased
numbers of insectivorous birds for the
protection of the forests was clearly
perceived, and they are beginning to
be put on the market in this country.
~ BY planting thickets of berry
bearing trees and shrubs along the
roads or In waste places on the farm.
which will provide not only food but
also nesting places and refuge resorts
from nocturnal enemies of the birds.
On many farms 1t Is necessary only
to preserve and encourage clumps Of
native trees and shrubs already grown
and thrifty, but where such do not ex-
list the little time and outlay required
for setting out and caring for these
bird reserves will be richly repaid by
the results.
(3) BY carefully protecting the
birds already occupying the premises.
Present sentiment for the preserva-
tion Of insectivorous birds is already
strong in most parts of this country,
and the chief need of protective laws
Is to insure the safety of our birds
from foreign immigrants who, having
been accustomed at home to kill for
food any and all kinds of birds, large
and small, young and old, naturally
assume the same privileges in their
adopted home. In some parts of the
country, moreover, such birds as rob-
ins, bluebirds, nighthawks, killdeers,
fiickers, and other valuable species
are slaughtered for food in vast num-
bers by our own citizens, either igno.
rant or careless of the fact that the
country can i'll afford to lose the serv-
ices of these insectivorous species.
The quail and prairie chicken are
favorite and legitimate objects of pur-
suit by sportsmen, but they have been
50 ruthlessly pursued that they are
now generally scarce and in many
localities practically extinct. AS the
bobwhite is most efficient weed de-
stroyer, to say nothing of its being
an active insect hunter, the farmer is
called on to decide whether this bird
is not too valuable on his farm to be
shot for food or sport.
~ By supplying water for birds
Though at first thought it may seem
small matter, supply Of water for
drinking and bathing purposes is OF
great Importance to birds. Running
water Is, of course. preferable, but
shallow vessels distributed over the
premises at short intervals in which
a supply of water can be constantly
renewed will be found to attract great
numbers of birds and induce them to
make their homes there"