The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-06
BIRDS CONsERVERs
OF PUBLIC HEAL TIL
In killing Myriads of Mosquitoes
They Are OF Great
Advantage.
CALLED POLICE OF THE AIR
Give Valuable Service In Destroying
Insects and Should BE Protected,
Says Chief OF Biological Society
in Report.

Washington. July 5.-Ncw light is
shed on the activities Of birds as CON
servers of the public health in a COM
| munication To the National Geographic
Society from Henry w. Hcnshuw, chief
OF the Biological Survey. The survey
for considerable period has been
studying the foods of birds by exam
lining til" stomachs of specimens Killed
for scientific purposes.
"'rhc value of birds to the farmer is
plain enough. but we do not usually
think of birds az having any direct re
lnton to the public health" writes MIR.
Henshaw "ro prove that they do
however. it is only necessary TO state
that 500 mosquitoes have been found
in the stomach Of single nighthawk:
that in kildecr's stomach hundreds or
the larvae of the salt-marsh mosquito
have been found, and that many shore
birds greedily dcvour mosquito larvae.
Mosquitoes Garry Germs.
'As mosquitoes are known TO carry
the germs Of such serious diseases az
typhoid, malaria and dcnguc fever, ii
is evident that by destroying such
germs the birds are comforting "a dis
tinct benefit on man. II may be added
that not infrcuucntly ticks are eaten
by birds. and chat the tick. which is
responsible for the spread Of Texas
fever among cattle. has been frequently
1Ounu III the stomach OF al DODHHlt'.
In considering the many kinds OF
birds in the United States from the
practical side. they may not inaptly
be called a police force of the air. the
chief duty Of which is to restrain with
In bounds the hordcs OF insects that.
If unchecked. would dcvour every green
thing. To accomplish this task sue
ccssfully. tho members of the force
must lie variously equipped. As the
bulk Of insects spend more or less time
on the ground, we find more birds are
fttcd for terrestrial service than for
any other.
Dcvour Free Insects.
"Our largest bird family. the sparrow.
is chiefly terrestrial. 1t is ably aided IN
It's search for insects 10y the thrushcs.
wrcns, certain OF the WARMERS ana
many other birds. So many insects
burrow into trees that a highly special
led class of birds--tho woodpcckcrs--
have been developed to dig them out.
The bills. tongues, feet and even tails
have been cuuiiinglr adapted To this
end. The bark az trees also forms
favoritc shelter for numerous insects.
aud behold the wrems. nut hatchcrs.
warblcrs, crccpcrs, with sharpcst oil
eyes and slendcrcst OF bills
Tire air is full OF Aging insects
and to take care OF these there are
the swallows. Swifts and niEhthawks.
whose wings and bodies are so shaped
~ to cndow them with the speed and
agility necessary to follow all the
turns and winnings Of their niinblc
insect prey. The whippoorwill attend
TO the night flying insects when most
birds are asleep, while the hawks by
dag and tho owls by night supple
ment the work OF other birds and
have a special function OF their own.
! the destruction of noxious rodents.
| Conscrvcrs of Food.
! Notwithstanding the fact that the
| acreage under cultivation in the
| United States is larger than ever be-
! fore. and that the crops arc greater.
| tho cost OF foodstufs continually
| mounts upward. Meanwhile the de
| struction of farm and orchard crops
| by insects and by rodents amounts 10
E! many millions each year. If any part
| Of this loss can be prevented IL Will
| be so much clear gain.
"Sincc birds perform such Invaluable
| servicc. every effort should be made TO
| protect them. This can he done by
| furnishing nesting boxes for certain
| species To nest in, AZ swallows. mar
/ tins. wrens. woodpeckers. great-crestcd
! fly catchcrs and others: BY plantina
berry hearing shrubs about .he fnrfn
and orchard for food for the birds in
! winter. and by the establishment oil
| bird sanctuarics. where birds may he
| reasonably safe from their natural
! enemies and be permitted TO live and
/ breed in absolute security rs far az
man is concerned.
| Last. but not least important, may
| be mentioned the element of safety
| from cats Friendly overturcs to birds
| from houscholdcrs who regard tabby
US. necessary member of tile family
are not likely to be successful. or. i;
| so. the experiment is apt to end in the
| death of the confiding birds Birds
and cats do not thrive in the same
| ncishborhood