Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-02-12
Bird Protection ,

Portland Press.
Some impressive figures on the relation.
OF insects and insect -eating birds to av,i.
culture are contained in the State gran,.
report on the subject. These bring on, :,
high relief the fact that the birds A..
| among the best friends Of the farmer. and
so in second degree to the rest OF US wbo
depend on the farmer to keep us alive,
1t Is we'll known that in numbers. IN.
| riety, fecundity.an persistence insect lss
Is marvellous and would be dangerous IN
other and higher forms OF life but for
natural checks. Insect life is of a Low
form, and so fecund 1t is and SO strong in
vitality that were II unchecked ii woula
soon overrun and occupy the world, drive
out the other orders.and eat up everything
eatable and make the planet desert-in
which OF course the insect tribe would At
last perish miserably.
But the wise laws of nature, aided bv
the devices Of man, have ordained checks
and balances to keep noxious life within
bounds, and SO, while nearly all useful
plants have their insect enemies. which
prey upon them, we see that when natural
conditions have been distributed. as BY
the Introduction of injurious insects into.
new Observation-Disclosures and gypsy
moths into New England, for INSTANCE
these creatures, being freed from their
natural enemies, increase with extreme
rapidity for time, and do much damage,
until the balance is restored.
Ifthere were no paris green or other in
secticide ayaiia bic and the Colorado beetle
allowed to work without obstruction. the
potato plant would soon become extinct
and the people deprived OF a valuable
food. People talk about peace, bu, the
struggle for existence is a perpetual bat
tie. Nobody knows this better than the
farmer. He has to wage continual war
fare against insect pests. They attack his
potatoes, his corn, his wheat, his apples,
his cotton, his domestic animals every
thing that is eata Bile. And il it is not in
sects, 1t is still lower life, in the form Of
maleficent germs that produce fungous
diseases and the like.
In this warfare the birds are important
auxiliaries. 1t is estimated, according TO
the grange committee report, that insect
pests destroy agricultural products to the
value Of $50, oOo, 900 a year. But that is
about 10 percent Of the total value OF the
farm crops Of the country. 1t Is a heavy
toll to take. and it represents the cost of
noxious insects to the country.
Many varities OF birds are insect-eaters,
however, and but for their help the de-
struction must be far greater. When we
are told that in Massachusetts, alone the
birds destroy 21,oOo bushels OF insects
daily, and in Nebraska ITO carloads as esti-
mated, We get some idea of what the birds
are doing and Of what might be il bird life
should be destroyed. Carry out these
figures for the whole country, and we get
some faint idea OF the numbers and activity
OF insect life and OF what we owe to the
birds for keeping it down.
This benefit has been recognized in the
laws OF many states for the protection OF
bird life. Unfortunately, however, it is
matter confined to state action, and foc the
most part Is outside OF national jurssiic-
ton. Most of the birds are migratory and
spend the winter in warmer lstitudes.
Southern states and countries are deficient
in laws for bird protection. 1t appears
that in those parts great numbers OF use
full birds are killed for food, and that un'
less public opinion is informed and
aroused, there is danger OF serious deple-
ton OF bird life and In the same degree a
cessation of the check on insect life. :,
Then there is the cat. II is estimated
that the domestic cat kills 10000, 900 BIRDS
year. What should be done? National
and international regulation is urged, the
passage of international laws for bird pro.
lection. so far as the national government
can do it, agitation OF the subject in states
education OF public opinion, the restrlc-
tion OF cats by license system, and tne
| boycott OF plumage on millinery. Inc
subject is certainly Of sufficient impoff..
lance to warrant serious attention. IL
concerns our bread and butter.