, 1921-12-01

hundred species In the United States, as a whole
shows Il good economic record. The sparrows, or
finches. are essentially seed eaters, but they con-
sumo also a fair proportion of insects, and in gen.
eral must be regarded as beneficial.
The tanagers and swallows are almost exclusive
ly beneficial, the latter especially being tireless
destroyers of a great variety of Insects.
If soft plumage and harmonious colors were the
crlteria of bird worth, the cedar waxwlng would
stand near the top. Economically, however. 1t is
In the doubtful, even the very doubtful, class. II
Is too fond of flowers, buds, and fruits, especially
cherries, and 1t consorts In such large focks while
gratifying these tastes that the interests of man.
kind suffer considerably.
The butcher birds, or shrikes, which have the
curious habit Of hanging part Of their prey upon
thorns, In crotches, or In other suitable places.
destroy some birds, but on the whole are beneficial.
About 10 kinds Of smooth green-coated vireos
and So kinds of warblers Of varied and brilliant
but neat p~lumages constitute the especial guardi-
ans of the foliage of our trees. There are millions
of warblers and vireos In North America. and the
aggregate destruction of insects by them is beyond
conception.
Allied In service to the warblers are the bark
climbing creepers. the industrious and inquisitlve
nuthatches. the restless and active chickadees and
tItmice. and the tree-scanning kinglets and gnat-
catchers, Of which groups there are in the United
States more than % species.
MockIngbirds, catbirds and thrashers are dis
tinguished by unusual ability as songsters. Eco
nolIltbIl tbnslutItuf III ~ IututI u Onu u
cultivated fruits, but as a rule they do more good
than harm.
Closely related to the Knockers and thrashers are
the wrens, of which we have II species. These lit
tie birds are necessarily active. tireless, and good
singers, almost wholly insectivorous, and conse-
quently beneficial to a high degree.
Only one family Of small land birds remains to
be mentioned, namely, that including the thrushes,
robins and blueblrds. The thrushes are character
istic woodland species, and while not Of great eco
monte Importance are for the most part commend
able in their relation to man. Robins and blue
birds are the most familiar species about our
homes, and so beloved are they that they are al
most immune from persecution. The bluebirds
strictly deserve this high consideration. but the
robins take "a large toll from cultivated fruits, and
probably are too numerous In many localities.
To understand the economic value of birds, not
only must the feeding habits Of species and famll-
les he known, but also the collective effect of birds
upon pests and crops. Most of their damage re-
suits from local overabundanee either of one spe-
cies or of n number of species of similar feeding
habits. and 1t is inflicted chiefly upon fruit and
grain crops.
II birds by their united effort are potent to ac-
complish great harm. they are for the same rea-
son able to do great good In the destruction of
insect pests. Fortunately, many more species are
helpful than harmful. Unusual outbreaks Of pests
upon which birds can feed are always attended by
gatherings OF the bird clans.
The American Ornithologists' union model law
for the protection Of birds has been adopted by 40
of the As States of the Union. The migratory-bird
treaty act. putting into force n treaty with Great
Britain for the protection Of migratory birds, sup
plements and re-enforces the state legislation.
II remains only for public opinion to back the
law at every point, and for citizens to put into eff
feet every practicable measure for the increase
and conservation Of bird life. The essentials OF
bird attraction are the suppression OF enemies and
the provision OF water, food and nesting sites.
Material Increase I'm the numbers OF birds admit.
teddy Is a two-sided problem; Some birds OF mega.
tive value should not be Increased. while others.
not now notlceably destructive, may become so
when they are more abundant On the other hand.
there is no doubt that the majority Of birds are
more beneficial than Injurious and that by lncreas-
ing their numbers we shall do ourselves and our
country a valuable service.