118 STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Quite a lengthy discussion followed this paper, of which an abstract is given 

 below : 



Tiie Secretary quoted from Mr. Bradfickl, of Ada, who said if there was no 

 return of our feathered tribes from the south cacli spring, he felt that he could 

 have full as good success in fighting insects. 



Prof. Beal. — I am a friend to birds generality, but think it is right to make a 

 judicious selection of the ones 1 like best for intimate companionsliip. There 

 are some birds I do not like at all, and among these I rank the robin, the 

 cherry-bii'd and tlie sapsucker tliat girdles our evergreens. A great deal of 

 sentiment is thrown away on these birds, but I believe them to do more hurt 

 than ffood when we are cultivatins: small fruits. 



A. G. Ciulley. — I am in favor of the birds, and it will be found pretty gen- 

 erally that our South Haven people, even if a large part of their income is 

 derived from their small fruits, are still in favor of giving jirotection to the 

 robin. Birds have in their manners and habits a great deal of interest to me. I 

 have during the past summer watclied with keen pleasure the habits of the 

 kill-deer as it strove to protect its nest by pretensions of being disabled, thus 

 leading the observer away from her nest. 



Mr. J5ailey. — I cannot agree with Prof. Beal as regards the robin at all. My 

 observation has been that tliey do much more good in destroying insects, b}' 

 eating and gathering for their young, than they steal fruit. 



Prof. Beal. — I am aware that they help in this way, but the young birds arc 

 just at the age when they eat the most as small fruits come on, and they will 

 leave worms any time to feed upon cherries or berries. 



Mr. Jjyon. — I must add my word of commendation upon the good work of 

 the birds, and the cheapest way I have found to deal with them is to jilant 

 enough for them and me too, and get my pay in the benefits they are not slow 

 to confer. 



Mr. Thompson. — I am interested in getting at the sense of the meeting ou 



this matter, and offer the following resolution : 



Besoli-pjl, 'J'liat the robin is not a nuisance, but a friend, and should be invited to 

 remain willi us. 



Mr. Adams. — If this comes to a vote I trust none will be allowed to act unless 

 interested practically in growing small fruits. 



Mr. Gulley. — Tlierc will be no doubt of the result in the vote upon this ques- 

 tion by a South Haven audience. We all go for keci)ing the robin liei'e. 



Mr. Adams. — Sentiment of course will rule in a vote like this, but when the 

 robins come in unnumbered flocks, stealing the fruit, a vote of stones is in order. 



The vote was taken, and although the room was filled, there were but ten 

 negatives. 



Prof. Beal having announced his vote against the robin, itr. Bailey inquired 

 if that was the vote of tlie Agricultural College, whereupon he was informed 

 that there was a division of opinion tliere, and one professor (Cook) would hold 

 up boti) hands for tlie robin. 



Mr. Ilulbert. — There are two sides to this bird question. Some seem to have 

 bird on the brain, and go for saving the whole feathered tribe; while, on the 

 other hand, many spaak only indiscriminate condemnation. I have watched 

 birds a great deal, and nearly all of them are my friends. There are a few that 

 I desire to h ive a good way off. For instance, the blue jay, which attacks the 

 young of other birds, but is a great coward, and dare not meet a full grown 



