The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1914-03-10

iCally shown.
Their mood of locomotion, together
with their structural fitness for their
natural functions, makes birds a very
important economic factor in the ami
NAL kingdom, especially from the
standpoint of their usefulnesstO man.
Endowed with h power of flight,
they SPEEDILY cover great distances,
thus controlling outbreaks of insects
or rodents in widely separated sec
tons of country.
Aside from their destruction of
noxious insects and animals, birds are
useful as weed-seed destroyers, also
as s~cavengers, and again are instru-
mental in the dissemination of the
seeds of trees and other plants. The
place of birds in nature is entirely
unique. Each species performs a
service which no other can so we'll
accomplish. Each is structurally
modified for the particular work
nature demands of it. These modii-
cations, in such species as the cross
bill, s%poon-bill, and others are very
marked, giving them an unnatural
and grotesque appearance, ever to the
point Of deformity. In other species,
various structural notifications in
feet, legs, wings, neckS, or other parts
are found, but always for the purpose
VI l1' CDttlIi, dSf "llICll
each must perform.
So complex are the food habits Of
birds, that they are little understood
and probably never will be fully
known. \ species may be useful part
of the year, and harmful at certain
times. An active destroyer of insects
within the breeding range may be
d. come II pillager of grain during mi
srations. Certain species, highly ben-
rnt - ~ a.
structive when their numbers are
greatly increased. The Whole eco
nomic problem hinges or the balance
that can be preserved in nature. Ar
increased food supply would tend tc
increase the number of birds feeding
thereon. When the supply is mate.
rally decreased, the birds must look
elsewhere for food, and this may re.
suit III their becoming destructive.
From the beginning of time, the
organic forces of natule have beer
engaged in constant conflict. each
against the other, but maintaining, OF
the average, n stable balanc until tn,
advent Of civilized man. In our owl
country this equilibrium WIS pre-
served until the Pilgrim Fathers be
a to hew homes out of the virgin
forest. Fields T maize and whea
supplanted the forest, affording a.
abundant supply Of juicy, tender foo
to many insects that formerly wer
dependent upon dhc forest. The de
struction OF h forest has caused
steady decrease in the numbers O
birds, dependent thereon for protec
ton, food, and nesting sites; his. wit
the destruction of many birds 70
food or other purposes, has greatl
reduced his natural check on insec
life. Many species have adapted thei
manner of living to the changed cor
ditions, some of which find preser
conditions even more favorable tina
those prevailing formerly. Othe
species, native to the western plair
have, sincet the settling of the countr,
extended their ranges westward.
The loss to cultivated crops. throug
insect ravages is s~tupendous. Sue
loss to cereal crops, forest product
n farm wood lots has been est
mated at ten per cent of the valu
n twenty per cent has been con
puted for truck crops and fruits.
There are man causes for IL
diminution in the numbers of o,
birds. Man is responsible for it. eth,
directly or indirectly, TO n great e
tent. The cutting of forests: clearir
of s~hrubbery; moving of fence row
draining of swamps: tilling of II
land: shooting for food. for profit
sport: destruction of those hat iniu
crops: and burning over land. all ha,
IA bearing on the -ubject.So, likewis
does the erection of lighthouses, tel
phone wires, n wire fences: al
the introduction of bird -destroyir
animals. Nature also limits the null
plication of birds as we'll as those
other creatures. over some of n
lures checks man has no contr
such as the elements, and it is lit
less than marvellous that so ma
birds, young and old, escape deaf