296 ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



birds, especially their habits of food, as a means of determining whether 

 they are friends of the horticulturist or his foes. These inquiries are 

 being pushed in various directions by scientific men with varying degrees 

 of success. The most earnest and indefatigable worker in this field is 

 Prof. Forbes, the results of whose inductions have been published from 

 time to time and are of great interest as leading the way towards great 

 results in the future. 



Perhaps no one else can be so well aware of the greatness of the task 

 as he who has undertaken it, and has already made progress sufficient 

 to show how broad a statistical base is necessary for the superstructure he 

 proposes to rear; consequently in his report to the State Society in 1876 

 he disclaims having done anything more than to enter upon the work 

 and point the way to others. This he did admirably, and followed up 

 as admirably in his report to the same Society in 1878. Yet a careful 

 comparison of the reports shows more clearly than mere theory could do 

 how absolutely necessary it was to extend his observations, not only over 

 a series of years, but over each portion of those years, covering all the 

 possible changes of diet induced by age and circumstances, in order to 

 evolve from the chaos of conflicting testimony a rule of harmony and 

 order, by means of comparison and explanation. 



We have before us only those reports above alluded to, and shall 

 note but a few instances to show the necessity of more thorough knowl- 

 edge, based upon a more extended observation. 



In 1876 our very dear little friend the cat-bird was in danger of con- 

 demnation as the victim of circumstances. Just think of it ! Forty- 

 seven per cent, injurious to only twenty-seven beneficial, and twenty-six 

 neutral. No wonder that his enemies were exultant and executed the 

 scalp dance over his threatened annihilation. But in 1878 the report 

 stands unquestioned nine beneficial to six injurious, with the doubtful 

 element of the single Hymenoptera given against him. Treat him as 

 prisoners are entitled to be treated in civilized communities — give him 

 the benefit of the doubt — and the record stands ten to five in his favor.* 



So our graceful little mocker stands acquitted, and wears his scalp 

 jauntily on his own head. 



In fact no other member of the thrush family has half so good a 

 record in our notes of observation as he. Coming early in the season 

 he settles himself among the almost naked limbs of the orchard and 

 forages for insect food long before fruits of any kind appear. He feeds 

 his young on insects, and only takes now and then a strawberry by way 

 of grace to his meat. He takes currants and raspberries rather freely in 

 their season, it is true, but he has seldom disturbed our cherries, and 



* Inasmuch as one " beneficial insect" or predaceous beetle will destroy an average 

 of, probably at least, twenty-five injurious insects, does it not follow that the balances in 

 both these accounts are overwhelmingly large against " our vei7 dear little friend, the 

 cat-bird "? Besides destroying so many of our friends among the insects, this "jaunty" 

 little fellow is a most voracious gormandizer of fruits at certain seasons of the year. 

 See report by Prof. Forbes on page 133 of this volume. — Secretary. 



