390 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doo. 



In conclusion we fuither quote from Rov. Dadant: 

 "No Apiarist ought to ever encourage the destruction of any 

 birds, except tlie too-plentiful sparrows because of their fondness 

 for bees. Unless we can check the custom of destrojnng, on any 

 pretense, our insectivorous birds, we shall soon, not only be de- 

 prived of their actual melody among the leafy branches, h.ut shall 

 lament more and more, the increase of insects from whose ravages 

 nothing but these birds can protect us. Let those who can enjoy 

 no music made by these winged choristers of the skies, except that 

 of their agonizing screams as they fall before their heartless gaze, 

 drive away as far as they please from their cruel premises, all the 

 little birds that they cannot^destroy, and they will eventually reap 

 the fruits of their folly, when the caterpillars weave their destroy- 

 ing webs over their leafless trees, and insects of all kinds riot in 

 glee on their blasted harvests." 



Specimens Received. 



A study of the list of birds received by the State Zoologist dur- 

 ing the past year indicates fairly well the attention that is being 

 given this subject by observers in this State, and shows the kinds 

 of birds and specimens that come under their notice, but it must 

 not be forgotten that the kinds which are not protected by law 

 would naturally be in much greater abundance in this list of speci- 

 mens sent dead, as the protected species would not be killed for 

 this purpose, but such would be sent as were found dead, or could 

 legally be taken. This list is as follows: 



Short-eared Owl, one; American Sparrow Hawk, one; Western 

 Horned Owl, one; Great Horned Owl, four; Red-tailed Hawk, three; 

 Blue Jay, two; Screech Owl, one; Sharp-shinned Hawk, one; 

 Flicker, one; Crow, four; Slate-colored Junco, one; American Gos- 

 hawk, two; American Robin, three; Purple Finch, one; Cooper's 

 Hawk, one; Sora Rail, one; Black-billed Cuckoo, one; Red-eyed 

 Vireo, one; Woodcock, one; Cedar Wax-wing, one; Turkey Vulture, 

 one; Horned Lark, one; Hooded Merganser, one; English Sparrow, 

 two; Wood Thrush, one; AAhippoorwill, one; Myrtle Warbler, one; 

 Pigeon Hawk, one; Bluebird, one; Pine Warbler, one; Hairy Wood- 

 pecker, one; Northern Shrike, one; White-throated Sparrow, one; 

 Wilson Snipe, one. 



This shows, as would be expected, that greater attention has been 

 given to hawks and owls because they are conspicuous and carniv- 

 orous, and are generally supposed to be not protected by law in 

 this State. 



Planting for Birds. 



We have recommended the preservation of birds by various 

 means, among which is planting certain kinds of shrubs, trees and 

 bushes to furnish them their natural food, with a view of produc- 

 ing natural fruits throughout the year. It is observed that the birds 

 prefer the native fruits to the cultivated, and this is one of the best 

 means of preserving our cultivated plants from their ravages. The 

 list, given in order of fruiting, is as follows: 



Soft, sweet early varieties of strawberries, 



Service beiry, or June berry, 



Cherry, 



