CULTURAL METHODS. 11 



Where English sparrows are numerous they must be j^revented 



Fig. 2. — A simple iiuirtin house. 



from monopolizing the martin boxes. This may be accomplished 

 by shooting or poisoning the sparrows, 

 by closing the entrances to the nesting 

 boxes during the winter, or by taking the 

 boxes down until the arrival of the mar- 

 tins in spring. 



CULTURAL iVIETHODS. 



Investigation of the habits of birds dur- 

 ing the winter months has shown that cer- 

 tain species, notabh' Brewer blackbirds. 

 bronzed grackles, great-tailed grackles, kill- 

 deer, and upland plover, are quickly at- 

 tracted to fields where plowing or harrow- 

 ing is going on, and usually when these 

 birds have been shot while following the 

 plow, boll weevils have been found in their 

 stomachs. This is particularly true in fields 

 where the ground is being newly broken or 

 the old cotton stalks first broken down. In 

 view of the pronounced habit on the 

 j)art of many birds of feeding in culti- 

 vated fields, the following suggestions 

 are believed to be worthy of adoption : 



1. Break the ground as early in the win- 

 ter as practicable, at a time when blackbirds are numerous. If after 

 the first plowing the ground is still rough, or if there is any rubbish 



I'll.. 



-\ liMir. 1 iiKii I ill liiiiise. 



