326 



tra:nsactions of the central 



by putting up convenient shelves for tliem to buUd their nests on, under sheds and other out build- 

 ings. They axe great insect destroyers. Among the earliest to show themselves in the spring is 

 the great American Shrieli, or Butcher Bird. Its food consist mostly of Insects, and the smaller 

 quadrupeds, which he often impales on thorns or other sharp points that may happen to suit his 

 purpose. We believe them useful in destroying mice, locusts, grasshoppers and others of the larger 

 insects, and do not disturb them on our grounds althougli they do sometimes rob other birds' nests. 

 The Meadow Lark is also an early spring bird, and merits a prominent place among our song birds 

 for the sweetness and plaintive melody of its few simple notes. We welcome them as among our 

 friends. The Brown Thrush is a favorite with us. Its song is clear aud melodious. We welcome it 

 to our grounds on account of its music and insect-eating propensities, aud as yet have found it in our 

 heart to forgive him for all the berries he may have taken without leave. The Mocking Bird comes 

 iu the spring, soon after the Brown Thrush, and sometimes has remained on our grounds all winter. 

 Who has not listened with delight to this great musician? His v^ice ever changing, yet ever sweet, 

 and whose music is often heard most of the night. An insect-eating bird, we welcome them, 

 although they do love berries, thereby showing their good taste, but for which I yet have forgiven 

 them. The Cat Bird comes soon after the Mocking Bird, a musician of its kind. It is a great 

 insect destroyer. As yet I have forgiven it when it took our small fruits, or inflicted on us its song, 

 and protected it for the good it has done in destroying our insect enemies. The Baltimore Oriole 

 has never visited us in large numbers, and on my grounds tims far has been a welcome visitant. It is 

 said they will destroy the tent caterpillar, though for this I cannot vouch; but that they prey on the 

 canker worm I have no doubt. The'common Eobin we would not willingly part with. As I see them 

 carry off my cherries, I recognise the same bird that also, in the earlier part of the season, carried 

 off the grub, locust, and other insects, as the plow turned them up from their winter's home in the 

 ground. For the common Wren we put up boxes through our orchards and grounds. Its food is 

 insects, and while supplying the wants of its young it destroys many hundreds a day, and in search- 

 ing for its food it leaves no bush or tree unexplored. This ever happy and lively little bird is one 

 of our favorites. 



The King Bird we formerly shot because he sometimes showed he had a sweet tooth, by taking 

 the honey bee for a luncheon. We have long since forgiven him for so doing, on account of his 

 good qualities in destroying our insect enemies. 



The Black Bird is a welcome visitant at my place, and follower of my plow, as each spring he 

 returns aud goes to work with a will, gathering up the army of grubs, worms, and the.larvae of 

 myi-iads of insects. 1 never yet begrudged them the few hills of corn they destroyed, but on 

 account of their good deeds cheerfully forgive them all. The Blue Jay I do not shoot, but on 

 account of Its propensity to rob other birds' nests, sucking the eggs or devom-ing the young, we do 

 not allow theui to rear their young on our grounds. However we welcome them around in the 

 winter season. 



With wliat pleasant and happy recollections is the arrival of the Swallows associated. In the 

 Eastern States, and here in the older settlements, every farmer's child is at home among the Swal- 

 lows. The appearance of the Barn Swallow, his easy, graceful flight, as he darts over the meadow, 

 his sprightly twittering note, and his nest under the barn roof, are things which we can not forget. 

 The Chinmey Swallow is also well known. Tliese Swallows as well as the common Martins are ever 

 welcome on our premises. 



The natural food of the common Woodpecker is insects, and the amount of these which he 

 annually destroys will far more than compensate for the fruit with which he varies his diet. Ever 

 on the alert, ever on the watch, the abode of the insect being discovered, with unerring precision he 

 pierces the bark or wood, and witli a tongue made for the purpose, draws out the borer in the worm 

 state, or the codling moth in the chrysalis state. Many other insects complain of hard times on 

 presentation of the Woodpecker's bill. 



The happiest bird of the spring is tlie Bobolink. Of all the birds of the groves and meadows of 

 !>iev/ England, my native land, the Bobolink was the envy of my boyhood. No one I believe brings 

 any charge (except a charge of shot) against the Quail. I can not bring any charge against them. 

 They are emphatically insect eating birds and consequently my friends. I love the birds, and with 

 few exceptions, they are my friends. 1 love my friends. 1 love to be with them, and to talk about 

 them. Tliere are other friends I would like to call to remembrance,'to speak of their virtues, and 

 draw a vail over their faults iu view of their oft repeated good acts, but time forbids. 



Insects liave not been as troublesome on my grounds, in past years, as on grounds of some of my 

 brother fruit growers a few miles distant. I attribute this fact to a general clean culture, and also to 

 my guardian friends tlie birds. While I have not for years allowed birds shot on my grounds, yet if 

 they became too troublesome during the fruit season I might be tempted to shoot them, but greatly 

 fear that I would thereby let in a greater evil, our insect enemies. In orchards near the timber we 

 hear complaints of the birds depredating on fruit of all kinds. The raspberries and cm-rants are 

 spirited away, and the grape is bored into. I can not stand it, says the fruit grower, and not having 

 the fear of the fruit-grower's insect enemies before his eyes, he shoots— and that bird will destroy no 



