INTRODUCTION. 11 



that appear in the ^^tomachs of California orchard birds. On the 

 other hand, in the Eastern States more than 40 species of wild 

 fruits have been found m the stomachs of a single species — the 

 Eastern robin. In the general dearth of wild fruits on the horti- 

 cultural areas of the Pacific coast it is not surprising that when 

 domestic fruits were first cultivated there the birds gave them a 

 warm welcome, and the orchardist's crops suffered accordingly. 



Another reason Avhy birds attack fruit in California more than in 

 the regions farther east is the dryness of the summers, juicy fruits 

 proving an acceptable substitute for water. To secure enough water 

 for their necessities California birds must often fly several miles, while 

 in the Eastern States localities are feAv in which water can not be 

 obtained within a few rods. In confirmation of the theory that in 

 attacking fruit liquid for slaking thirst is sought by birds as much as 

 food, it may be stated that much of the injury done to small juicy 

 fruits in California, such 'as grapes and cherries, consists of simple 

 punctures in the skin, through which apparently nothing but juice 

 has been drawn. 



PROTECTIVE MEASURES. 



It would appear most desirable that some of the available fruit- 

 bearing trees, the fruits of which are of little or no value to man, but 

 which to birds are even more acceptable than cultivated kinds, should 

 be freely introduced into California for the protection of the orchard- 

 ist. That some of them would thrive there hardly admits of doubt. 

 Morns alba^ the Russian mulberry, is one of the best, the fruit having 

 little value unless as food for birds. All fruit-eating species are fond 

 of it. Both the red and the black mulberries are equally sought after, 

 but are not often planted for birds alone. The paper mulberry 

 {Broiissonetia papyrifera) is hardy and is a favorite bird food. Sev- 

 eral species of Prunus or cherry, including the choke cherry {P. vir- 

 giniana), and especially its western form {P. demissa), the black 

 cherry {P. sero f ina) ,iind the bird cherry {P.pennslyvanica) are of great 

 value in protecting fruit crops, birds almost invariably selecting their 

 fruit in preference to the cultivated varieties. There are also several 

 ornamental varieties of cherries, such as the European birdcherry {P. 

 allium)^ P. pendula of Jai:»an, and P. sphm'ocarpd of Brazil, which 

 are hardy, the latter in warm regions only, and valuable as bird foods. 

 Both the pepper tree, Schmus molle^ and the elder, Sambucus, now 

 abundant in California, are eaten by many birds, and both may be 

 planted near orchards with the certainty that they will serve to pro- 

 tect them. 



Another measure recommended for the protection of orchard fruit 

 is a supply of water accessible to the birds. Drinking places for 

 birds in every large orchard would tend to reduce the injury done to 



