mKt)s. 147 



as it destroys the smaller birds and so prevents the bene- 

 fits they might have l)r()nght to the farmer. Pmt at most 

 the really injnrions birds of this order are very few in the 

 nnmber of species and except the Crows and Black birds 

 are few in individnals. 



Of the three remaining orders bnt little need be said. 

 The Rasores, an order which includes such birds as the 

 Gi'ouse and A\"dd Pigeon, are all of them seed eaters 

 though also eating insects, and where the}' descend upon 

 grain fields in any considerable numljers they may do 

 much damage, but, as none of them are found in large 

 munbers in our state, they can hardly be said to be inju- 

 rious for they conhne themselves to the woods for the 

 most part and seldom attempt to rol) the fields. 



The AVaders and Swimmers, from their habits of life 

 are necessarily seldom 1)ronght under the notice of the 

 farmer, and all that is to l)e said in regard to them is, 

 that, so far as is know n, they do no harm whatever and 

 some of them do destroy mice and insects and so are use- 

 ful though not to an,y very imi)ortant extent. 



AUoAv me in closino- to earnestly ask all Avho have read 

 the facts and arguments herein presented to give them 

 careful thought and to test them by full and candid obser- 

 vation and see whether they are true or not. It has been 

 impossible in the allotted time to bring clearly into view 

 fvfr// side of the question, nnich more might be said in 

 regard to man}- points bnt, while these have necessarily 

 been imperfectly treated, there has been a constant desire 

 and purpose to bring out fully those points which have 

 the most practical importance. All that could l)e said 

 against the usefulness of the ])irds treated has been given, 

 it is believed, its due weight and what has been said upon 

 the other side of the (piestion has not been, intentionall}' 

 at least, overestimated. Certainlv it is true that the ar- 

 guments brought forward have not been adduced for the 

 sake of any favorite theory nor out of any sentimental re- 

 gard for the ])eauty of the feathered friends, ])ut simply 



