The Monmouth inquirer. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1865-1933, 1924-01-03
bIspe Ae eoTToN aAvEHs.
Boil WseMlPest Increases Whers
Shore Birds Are Killed.

ShOf~ DHNS NtC tNtHS0s
The Department Of Agriculture has
undertaken the study of birds in the
south and their relations to the cot
ton boil weeviI, says Forest and
Stream. This insect is one of the
most destructive pests in the country
today; its ravages in Texas have caus-
ed enormous losses and the weevil
is steadily spreading and covering
! wider territory The investigation
is to determine what effect the birds
have as its destroyers. The study has
been made by Mr.. Vernon Bailey, chief
field naturalist of the Biological Sur
yey, and a preliminary report has just
been issued. 1t is a report Of pro-
gress for the investigation has not
yet been carried to a point where
the services Of the birds as allies OF
man may be fully be summed up.
But enough has been shown to prove
that these services are extremely
valuable. The fact is pointed out that
for IL years since its introduction the
boil weevil has made steady progress
in it's spread over the cotton produc-
ing area in spite of the birds. and
there is no grotInd then to assume
that birds are ever likely to exrer-
inmate the insect. 1t is true, never
theless that the investigation has
shown that birds have had a very Inn
portant influence in checking the wee
Vito such an extent indeed that
the conclusion is justly reached that
ii it were not for the birds no cotton
whatever could be produced in the in
fected areas Moreover, it is reasona-
bic to believe that when the services
Of the birds shall be more fully rec
ognized and in consequence more eff
cient protection shall be given to
them, the increased avian supply will
IN corresponding ratio prove more et-
fective in reducing the weevil.
Among the birds found to be de-
structive of the boil weeyil the first
place is given to the titlark or pipit.
OF eight individuals killed for exam
ination Of their stomachs five were
found to contain remains of boil wee
wis. Allowing the birds only two
meals a day, at this rate they would
consume 125 per cent. of their own
numbers in weevils daily. The tit
larks winter in Texas in immense
numbers, and the aggregate of their
useful work during the season must
be of tremendous 4-.dgnltude.
srIr m
varying degree was demonstrated In
cludes the Carolina wren, the western
meadow lark the Florida
meadow lark, the common phoebe, the
red-winged blackbird, the western sa-
wanna sparrow and the white-coated
sparrow, the brown thrasher and the
Texas bobWhite. The investigation
of the quail was made in the autumn
al season, when the birds were feed
ing almost exclusively on ripened
weed seeds: but quail are known TO
feed largely on insects in the summer,
and Mr.. Bailey concludes that later
in the season, especially during the
winter and spring months, after the
weevils have left the cotton, the quail
scratch them up from under the leaves
and rubbish.
Other birds which are named in
their report as giving useful cooper
alton in the weevil warfare. are the
shore birds, in particular the kildeer
ployer, which is known to eat the
insects and frequents the cotton fields
at all seasons. The same statement
applies to other ployer, the upland
ployer or Bartram's sandpiper being
one of the most insectivorous of all
species. Formerly 1t was found in
immense numbers on Texas prairies,
but market hunting has almost exter-
minated it. The bird is known az
papabotte in Louisiana and is one OF
the choicest birds in the New Orleans
market.
1t is suggestive that here in this
cotton weevil study should be devel-
oped another Illustration of the foAy
with which we have gone on for years
tolerating the destruction of game for
market; and demonstrating anew the
wisdom and utility of the Platform
Plank, that the sale of game should
be forbidden at all seasons.