Birds in Relation to Agriculture in Nf.w York State 1S03 



as the crossbills, which live almost entirely on seeds. As a rule the birds 

 in this group have rather generalized wings and feet, and heavy bills 

 for crushing seeds or removing hard outer seed coats. 



By far the greater part of the food of these birds consists of the seeds 

 of weeds, which fact makes the birds highly beneficial ; and when one con- 

 siders also the fact that most species feed to a large extent on insects during 

 the summer, and feed 

 their young entirely on 

 insects, their true value 

 will be better realized. 

 Unfortunately some 

 species find the culti- 

 vated grains as much 

 to their taste as the 

 weed seeds, but com- 

 plaints to this effect are 

 local and can usually 

 be e a s il y remedied. 

 The crows and the 

 blackbirds, for example, 

 which sometimes feed 

 on cultivated grain, are 

 wary and suspicious 

 birds, and, while this 

 makes them more diffi- 

 cult to shoot, they are 

 for the same reason 

 more easily frightened 

 away. The old-fashion- 

 ed scarecrow still proves 

 very efficient, provided 

 it is not left too long in 

 one place. If left for 

 many days in the same 

 spot, it becomes but a 

 part of the landscape to 



the crows and they do not mind it. If, however, it is moved about 

 they remain suspicious of it. The same is true of strings stretched 

 about the field with pieces of fluttering paper or rag attached. They 

 work well for a time, but should be changed as soon as the crows show 

 signs of getting used to them. Another method of preserving the corn is 

 to soak it in creosote or coal tar before planting. This does not effect its 



PHOTOGRAPHED BY C. R.CROSBY 



Fig. 33. — ■ Where ojeaners are necessary. A cherry tree 

 denuded by tent caterpillars. Orioles are fond of the young 

 caterpillars; cuckoos devour them even after they become 

 large and hairy 



