The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1916-11-29
MANY BIRDS HELP THE
FARMERS FIGHT PESTS
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
SAYS SIXTY-SIX SPECIES DE-
STROY BOIL WEEVILS.

WASHINGTON, D. C.-At least
Sc species of birds found in South
eastern United States are of service
in destroying the cotton boil weevil,
according to ornithologists of the
United States department of agri-
culture. A much larger number of
the GAO different species found in the
Southeast also render important ser
vice to agriculture by feeding on vari-
Gus insects which attack field crops,
garden truck, forage plants and fruit
throughout the region. These facts
have been determined by extensive
field and laboratory studies made by
the Biological Survey, the results of
which have just been published by the
department of agriculture as Farm
ers' Bulletin 755, Common Birds of
Southeastern United States in Rela-
ton to Agriculture"
The most active of the 66 feathered
found, are the orioles, which are
among the few birds actually taking
the insects from the squares of the
cotton plant, and the swallows, which
feed on the weevil while the latter are
in flight seeking to extend their
range. In winter the most efficient
enemies of the oil weevils are black
birds, meadow larks, titlarks and Car
DINA wrens. The cotton worm is eat
en- by Al species of birds, of which
the cuckoos are the most effective.
These birds frequently consume from
100 to $50 of the worms at meal.
Twelve Southern birds attack the
boil weevil and seven feed on the cot
ton cutWorm.
White grubs, a very serious pest
not only to corn but to strawberries,
garden crops and grasses, are eaten
by 81 species of southeastern birds.
Wire worms and their adult forms,
click beetles, another pest of corn,
are consumed by 1913 kinds of birds,
while SIS species feed on the bill bugs,
which also attack corn. Cutworms,
which often occur in the Southeast in
summer and fall and attack practical
ly all vegetation, are eaten by 80 spe-
cies of birds.
Chinch Bugs Destructive.
Chinch bugs, which are extremely
destructive to corn and wheat and
which are supposed to have but few
natural enemies, the biological sur
vey found, are eaten by "a species
of birds. Of the other insects attack
ing corn the Southern corn root worm
or spotted cucumber beetle, is eaten
by 26 birds and the brown chatter by
21. The Southern fig eater, which
feeds as well on other fruit, is de-
stroyed by IA species of birds, the
crow leading in efficiency.
Of the insect pests feeding on for
age crops practically all kinds are
eaten by some group of Southeastern
birds. One of the most important of
these pests-leafhop con-
sumed by 100 different kinds of feath-
cred enemies of the Southeastern
states, and a score or more species Of
birds fed on the various kinds of clO-
yer weevils.
There are many bird enemies of
truck crop pests in the Southeast.
from 10 to 33 species of birds were
found to eat each of the following:
Flea beetles, sweet potato flea beetles,
grapevine leaf beetles, grape flea
beetles, rice weevils, Colorado potato
beetles, and the 17-year locusts. The
survey disclosed that 40 species of
Southeastern birds feed on horse flies,
which, while they do not attack
plants, are exceedingly annoying to
both humans and animals and even
transmit some forms of disease.
The biological specialists who
made the survey of insect-eating birds
in the Southeast draw the conclusion
tina the birds of this region are much
more important to agriculture than is
generally supposed and that farmers
should recognize the fact and do all
in their power to protect their feath-
cred friends. The bulletin may be Sc
cured free of charge on application
to the U. S. Department of Agricult-
ure as long as the supply lasts.