Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-12-08

hundred species in the United States, as whole
shows good economic record: The sparrows,
fnches, are essentially seed eaters, but they con-
sumo also fair proportion of insects, and in gen.
eral must be regarded as beneficial.
The ranagers and swallows are almost exclusive
ly beneficial, the latter especially being treless
destrOyers< of a great variety of insects
If soft plumage and harmonious cOlors were the
criteria of bird worth, the cedar waXwing would
stand near the top. Economically. however, 1t is
in the doubtful, even the very doubtful, class 1t
is toe fond of flowers, buds and fruits, especially
cherries, and it consorts in such large 1ocks 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, in other suitable places,
destroy some birds, but the whole are beneficial
About 10 kinds of smooth green-cOated vireOs
and 50 kinds of warbers of varied and brilliant
but neat plumages constitute the especial guardi-
ans of the foliage of trees. There millions
of warblers and vireos in North America, and the
aggregate destruction of insects by them is beyond
conception.
Allied in service to the warbers the barES
climbing creepers, the Industrious and inquisitive
nuthatches the restless and active chickadees and
titmice, and the tree-scannng kingets 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 songsters. Eco
nomicalIy considered, all rather too fond Of
cultivated fruits, but as rule they do more good
than harm
Closely related to the Knockers and thrashers are
the wrens, of which we have IL 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,
nj birds ho rrchn nba otor-
istic woodland Species and while of great eco
nOmic Importance are for the most part commend
able in their relation to man. Robins and blue
birds the most familiar species about our
homes, and beloved are they that they al
most immune from persecution. The bluebirds
strictly deserve this high consideration, but the
robins take large toll from cultivated fruits, and
probably too numerous in many localities
To understand the economic value of birds not
only must the feeding habits of species and famil-
les be known but also the collective effect of birds
upon pests and crops. Most of their damage re-
suits from local Over-abundance either of spe-
cies or of number of species Of similar feeding
habits, and it is inflicted chiefly upon fruit and
grain crops.
If birds by their united effort are potent to ac-
complish great harm, they for the same rea-
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 feed are always attended by
gatherings of the bird clans.
The American OrnithOOgists' 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 q treaty with Great
Britain for the protection of migratory BIRDS sup
plements and re-enfOrces the state legislation
1t 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 the suppression of enemies and
the provision of water, food and nesting sites
Material increase in the numbers of birds admit
tedly is two-sded problem Some birds of mega
tive value should not be increased while others
not nOticeably destructive may become so
when they are more abundant. On the other hand
there is doubt that the majority of birds are
beneficial than injurious and that by ncreas-
ing their numbers shall do ourselves and our
country a valuable service.