110 MISSOURI STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIEIY. 



That many or all of our birds may destroy insects that would be of 

 some benefit to us I do not doubt, but if all birds were destroyed, I be- 

 lieve we would soon have to abandon raising a great deal of fruit we 

 now raise in abundance ; hence, I shall continue to protect the birds, 

 both because 1 believe them serviceacle to us and for their orna- 

 mental and musical benefit to us, to see and hear the happy birds 

 singing in the trees and air around us — to say nothing of their beauti- 

 ful songs at daylight, is sufficient compensation for all taken from us, 

 •even if they rendered no other services. 



Truly yours, 



WM. H. TH0MA8. 



DISCUSSION. 



Major Rag an i2iV0Ye^ the planting of wind-breaks and the encour- 

 aging birds to build therein. 



Mr. Faith spoke in favor ot the birds although they take his first 

 strawberries. 



Mr. Skinner stated that the English sparrows were in Butler three 

 years ago, but were not here now; believed in destroying the cats in 

 order to save the birds. 



Rev. Pierce cited an instance where trees were planted especially 

 for the birds in order to save the other fruit. 



Mr. Spear asked regarding the jay; classed him with the hawk, 

 an enemy to man. 



CapU Hynes also wages war upon the jay while friendly to others, 

 especially the wren. 



Mr. Kidwell protested against the destruction of the jay and cat 

 bird. They destroy the cut worms, taking those in preference to the 

 corn or berries. 



Secretary Goodman destroys the jay, not to preserve the fruit, but 

 because they prey upon other birds which are much more useful to 

 man. 



Mr. Skinner favorable to all birds except the butcher bird and 

 sparrow hawk. 



Major Ragan thought the greatest bird enemy to man would 

 prove to be the English sparrow. 



Mr. Kidivell thought that there is no cause to fear the English 

 sparrow; when ih-y need destroying Yankee genius would inve^nt the 

 proper trap. 



For lack of time a number of papers were read only by title, and 

 are printed in the report, as follows : 



