BOOK V. 



PROTECTORS OF AGRICULTURE. 



Along with these innumerable legions of enemies, the 

 devouring fangs of which, ever active, injure or even ruin 

 agriculture, there has been created a valiant army, which 

 alone is capable of checking their ravages. But too often 

 man, unthinkingly or through ignorance, destroys these 

 auxiliaries sent by Providence, and only seeks to recall them 

 when he has exterminated them. To-day he sets a price 

 upon their heads ; to-morrow he would buy them back at 

 their weight in gold. 



All the pleasant guests of our groves have been alter- 

 nately thus treated. The titmouse, the black-cap, the night- 

 ingale, the blackbird, and many others destroy swarms of 

 all these caterpillars that ruin us, and they are more skil- 

 ful than we are in discovering the hidden retreats of these 

 pests. Among our auxiliaries we should have to name 

 nearly all the small birds in our woods. And yet how 

 often has the weapon of the sportsman destroyed these 

 charming and active workers ! It is only quite lately that 

 we have checked his ravages and protected their broods. 



If some destructive insects eat our crops, their natural 



