BIRDS IN RELATION TO MAN 



427 



available in the fields or woods. The scattering of grain or 

 bread crumbs will enable many birds to survive until the ground 

 is clear and they are again able to find food for themselves. 



Cooper's hawk (A ccipiter coopcri) 



Bronzed grackle {Quiscalus quisatld) 



Blue jay {Cyanocitta cristata) Crow {Corvus americanus) 



Fig. 225. Some undesirable bird neighbors 



Cooper's hawk preys upon po'jltry and insectivorous birds. The blue jay and the 



bronzed grackle destroy the eggs of other birds, and the grackle also eats a great deal 



of grain. The crow destroys grain, fruit, useful insects, and the eggs of useful birds 



The cat and all its wild relatives are so destructive to birds 

 that it is doubtful whether we should not all be better off 

 with the domestic cat completely eliminated from our lives. 

 There are some good things to be said in favor of the cat ; 

 but the other things more than offset them. The red squirrel 



