THE BIRDS OF NEW JERSEY. 23 



FOOD FOR BIRDS. 



The injury that birds do to crops and fniit is trivial 

 compared to the vast benefits derived from their almost 

 continual warfare against insects and larvae, but even this 

 injury may be obviated in a great measure. As a rule 

 birds prefer wild fruit and seeds to cultivated fruit and 

 grain, and consequently those who desire to derive the 

 greatest benefit from birds will do well to plant some 

 wild fruit which will liear during the weeks the birds 

 usually feed on the garden or orchard crops. In this con- 

 nection Mr. Forbush says: 



"I wish particularly to note the fact that the mulberry 

 trees, which ripen their berries in June, proved to be a 

 protection to the cultivated cherries, as the fruit-eating 

 birds seem to prefer them to the cultivated cherries, per- 

 haps because they ripen somewhat earlier;" and he adds, 

 "I believe it would be wise for the farmer to plant rows 

 of these trees near his orchard, and it is possible that the 

 early Juneberry or shadberry might also be useful in this 

 respect." 



Prof. Beal suggests planting berry bushes along the 

 roads and fences and between grain fields. 



To protect strawberries and cherries (May and June), 

 plant Russian mulberry and Juneberry or shadberry. 



To protect raspberries and blackberries (July and Au- 

 gust), plant mulberry, buckthorn, elder and choke cherry. 



To protect apples, peaches, grapes (September and Octo- 

 ber), plant choke cherries, elder, wild black cherry and 

 Virginia creeper. 



To protect winter fi-uits, plant Virginia creeper, dog- 

 wood, mountain ash, bittersweet, viburnum, hackbeny, 

 bayberry and pokeberry. 



