The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-12-11
PROTECTION FOR
BIRDS DEMANDED
STRONG PLEA MADE IN ADDRESS
sY REV. EARLE A. BROOKS.
osetu'ness o. "Festhered Friends" to
reople on West Virginia Empha-
sized BY Noted Authority.

strong plea for the protection Of
the song and insectivorous birds that
tnrong our fields and forests was made
yesterday afternoon by Rev. Earle A.
nrooks. OF Weston. in speaking be-
TORE the West Virginia Forest, Fish
enu Oame Protective Association.
wnich is IN annual session here. DIR.
brookS spoke on the subject 'sTrsef,il-
ness of Our Song and Tnsectivorous
Birds" Jus
hev. Brooks is pastor of the Pres
oyterian church at Weston. and is re.
earded as the leading ornithoIogist of
the State. as well as one OF the lead
ing authorities on bird life and nature
study In the country.
his address was punctuated with ac.
counts of experiences while studying
bird life in West Virginia. II was a
most interesting address. and was
sreatlS appreciated by the association.
In beginning. Or. Brooks pointed out
tne TACT that there are 26l species and
Suo-species of birds in West Virginia.
lie stated that for almost 30 years he
mas studied the bird life of our State,
and declared IL his deliberate conelu-
SION mat there are few. IL any. spe-
eles which should not be protected
by law and by public sentiment back
OF the law. There are" he said. "a
very few species that do not-deserve
legal protection. but I would hesitate
very greatly to name them"
Speaking OF the importance of the
insectivorous birds. Rev. Brooks spoke
in part as follows:
Valuable as Insect DestroVera
AS destroyers OF insects. birds rid
the world Of an excess Of insects that
would otherwise increase to uncounted
numbers. outswarm the lice and 10.
Gusts that plagued Pharaoh's stub
born heart when he refused TO let the
children of Israel 60 from Egyptian
bondage. denude the trees OF leaves
and fruit. make bare our fields. or.
chards and gardens. and render life
uncomfortable. In fact. In a few years.
unchecked insect life would destroy
the life OF many other forms and com
pletely upset the present balance Of
nature DIT. Marlett tells US that in
the year 1904 the Loss "a our agricuI.
tural interests occasioned by insects
amounted 10 t7s5.0O0. 900. our own
Dr, =. ID. Hopkins. OF whom every
West Nirginian should be proud est.
mates that insects cause an annual
loss % our forestr yand timber inter
ests OF 100000. 900
y once fed an immature COW bird
80 house flies. and he ate them all
with scarcely moments delay
Many OF ne have observed how In
sects were destroyed by a single blrq
IN few minutes A few hours Of
careful observation will lead you 10 al.
most positive conclusion that birds
destroy untold numbers Of insects In
the course Of p year. The insects de-
strOyed b. the birds In the winter are
many. and their young. the next sum.
mer. would b. many more Come.
quentiy. the birds that remain here
over winter and spend their time In
huntinr for eggs or dormant larvae
or pupac hidden away lu crevicea or
ander the bark are wonderfully help
fnl In kepina down the great number
- Insects
As destroyer Of obnoxious weed
seeds. birds render great service
Prom the stomach ~ single Bob
White there we're taken 90 one time
ZOO seeds 81 pigeon grass. and from
The stomach ~ one turtle dove q 500
seeds OF the yellow wood sorrel
Small rodents. particularly field
mice. are very destructive 10 farmers
crops Hawks. owls and shrikea arc
enemies ~ these small mammals and
DO much % keep them In check Few
persons know that hawks and owls
birds fhaf nearly Everyone believes
should b. KILLED outright are amone
natures most potent cheeks on tho
undue incrcase % these destructive
uffie creatures Tho publication %
department of agriculture. in uhich
they rive the stomach contents Of
thousands u hawks and other hirds
~ prev tell story that aH 90 ue
QUAINT 10 hsaf and heed
Many birdr Do a great service Pei
scavengera. though w. have very