The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1925-04-28
URGED TO SAVE OUR
BIRDS OR STARVE
HUMAN RACE LOSING OUT IN
FIGHT WITH INSECTS FOR
CONTROL OF EARTH.

A report sent out by a government
official says that last year more than
500, 100000 worth OF food products
were destroyed by insects Grasshop-
pers alone consumed $5O,0OO,OOO
worth. Potato bugs ate $S,0OO,OO0
worth. Numerous other insects, in
Guiding grain and boil weevils cost
the farmer from ten to sixty million
each, every year These figures do
not include loss by disease caused by
insects.
The human race is fighting the in
sect world for control OF this earth,
and gradually losing out. Year by
wear it is taking more time and money
TO fight insect pests. There is a two
fold reason for this; first, we are rails
ing more food products, and therefore
providing a greater field for insects;
second, we have deliberately attacked
and destroyed our chief allies, the
birds.
More than one naturalist has esti-
mated that if all the birds were to dis
appear that in spite OF all our efforts
insects would destroy all vegetation IN
nine or ten years, therefore all animal
life would perish for lack OF food.
1t has been estimated that there are
100000 kinds OF insects on the
earth and their productive powers are
almost unbelievable Their appetites
equal their productive ability. Many
caterpillars eat daily twice their own
weight in leaves
Birds Are Bug Eaters.
Birds are the natural enemies of
insect life, and if we had enough birds
they would keep in check the increas-
ing insect hordes. 1t is almost inCred
ible the number OF insects eaten by
our insectivorous birds. The majority
of nestlings are led nothing but in
sects. A young robin can eat twice its
weight in cut worms in a day A night
hawk can eat 500 mosquitoes in an
evening A tiny warbler will eat more
than $500 plant lice in an hour. There
are 90 kinds of birds that eat our wee
vii. the partridge, or quail, being the
chief consumer OF this pest. There are
43 kinds that destroy the lent cater
pillars, so destructive to the pecan
trees. 1t has been proved by peach
growers that the king bird, or bee
martin. as we mistakenly call him, IS
the worst enemy OF the curculio,
weevil that is devastating to the peach
orchard. Orchard owners erect mar
tin poles in their orchards and bait
them with cracked peanuts in order
to encourage the birds to work in the
orchards. Blue birds, wrens and nut
matches also make their homes in these
nests and assist in keeping down in
sect pests.
What Should We Do?
Man is practically the only exter
minator Of bird life, and with his gun,
trap, cat and dog has been directly or
indirectly responsible for the great de-
crease in bird life. While birds cannot
prevent all the damage done by in
sects, if we had enough birds they
could and would save us great expense
in use of insecticides.
Birds must be increased and this
can be done by educating all to the
value of bird life, for ignorance OF
this value is responsible for the de-
crease of the birds. Also by attracting
birds by putting up bird houses, pro
.tecting them from cats and English
sparrows. which drive them away.
Keep sparrow nests torn down, trap
and shoot them to keep them from
increasing in such numbers as to be-
come a nuisance.
Remember as birds increase insects
hordes increase. and let us care for the
birds and protect them. Let us make
our home places bird sanctuaries,
where no one is allowed to harm the
birds and suitable nesting places, bath
and drinking founts supplied for the
hot summer days Birds are our good
friends. Let us be theirs.
The conservation OF bird life is be-
ing fostered in our state by the wo-
mems clubs, and information regard
ing the value of protecting and en-
couraging the increase OF birds is be-
ing disseminated through the schools
and various clubs. The u S. Depart
ment of Agriculture, Washington, d.
C., will supply bulletins pertaining to
bird life to anyone writing to the de-
partment and asking for them. Farm
ers' bulletins Nos $50 and 1889 are
eSDeciat1V GOOD