The sun., 1916-04-23

Of the United States. The Bureau Of
| the Biological Survey has recently
given much attention to this sparrow.
| II has collected them from all parts
Of the United states and made an ex-
animation OF four thousand stomschs.
The results show that during the
colder half Of the year the food OF
these birds consists almost entirely OF
seeds Of weeds.
Birds occupy a unique position
among the enemies Of insects. since
their power Of Night enables them at
short notice 10 get at points where
there are abnormal insect outbreaks.
An unusual abundance Of grasshop-
pers. for instance. in a given locality.
soon attracts the birds from a wide
area. and as rule their visit ceases
only when there are no grasshoppers
left.
The large amount Of noxfotis seeds
aud insects that one bird will de-
vour in the period of twelve hours 10
most surprising. \ tree swallows
stomach recently examined contained
forty cinchbugs and fragments Of
many others besides ten other species
Of insects. The stomach Of bank
swallow showed that 1t contained
sixty-efght cotton boil weevils one Of
the worst insect pests that ever in
vaded the United States. Thirty-five
cl.ff swallows had devourcd an average
of eighteen boil weevils each. Two
s,omacls of pine siskins from Hay
ward. Cal. contained nineteen black
olive scales and 500 plant lice. 4 kill
deer's stomach taken In Texas con-
tained over 800 larvg. 4 fiicker's
stomach contained twenty-cight big
grubs. A nighthawks stomach con-
tained thirty-four May beetles. the
adult form Of the white grub. Another
nghthawk taken In this State had
eaten twenty-four clover leaf weevils
and 315 ants. Still another nighthawk
$40 grasshoppers. flfty-two bugs. three
beetles, two wasps and a spider. big
tailed grackle taken In Texas had teaen
In one meal about 100 cotton boil wee-
wills besides a few other insects. A
ring neck pheasant. a bird which the
State Of New York is taking great in
;erest In propagating. showed upon ex-
animation Of the crop that 1, contained
lion head. More than $4,000 seeds have
been found in single ducks stomach
taken in Louisiana.
Therefore a thorough knowledge OF
the farmers bird friends ana enemies
is doubly important that he may pro-
tect the kinds that earn protection
by their service. The number Of In
sect pests is at all times increasing
by leaps and bounds as soon AZ any
natural restraint Is taken from them.
so every effort should be made to aug
rnent the number Of our useful friends
by protecting them from their enc
mics. by providing nesting material
and by furnishing them food in times
OF stress. especially in the winter.
Few are aware Of the difficulty often
| experienced by birds in procuring
water for drinking and bathing pur.
poses. A constant supply Of water
| near dwellings will materially aid in
attracting birds TO the neighborhood
and keep them there. at least until the
| time Of migration.
One Of the worst foes Of the native
bird Is the house cat Probably none
Of our native wild animals destroys
| w hiohy OuuS vi tuc IdIIu ana 0UOs
urban places as the common preda-
tory cat. II person feels that cats
are necessary every effort should be
made by carefully feeding and watch
ing them to insure the safety Of the
birds. The cat without a home should
be mercifully put out OF the way.
Our native shrubs should be util.
lied as far as possible. especially a.
many Of them are not exceeded in
beauty or interest by foreign plants.
They are very attractive to birds. a.
IL the hedge. and unframed bushes
and tangled thickets. Plants and all
ornamental shrubs will attract the
native birds.
| Those who are interested and IA
miliar with the Importance Of con-
serving our bird life can do no better
work than in educating the public TO
the necessity Of protecting our in
sectivorous and weed seed eating
birds.