NTRODUCTION 



BIRDS play a large part in the economy of nature. Tn 

 relation to agriculture, fruit-growing, and forestry 

 they are visible agents for good or for ill. The European 

 Starling, lately introduced within our shores — and evidently 

 here to stay — is undoubtedly a foe to the orchardist. On 

 the other hand, until it increases beyond a certain limit, and 

 seeks to change its food, it will remain a good ally of the 

 grazier and agriculturist. The introduced fox is killing 

 thousands of birds which feed largely upon ground vermin, 

 while it appears to me the StarHng is taking their place 

 in the balance of nature. Still it is a problem for the 

 future to decide- whether a war of suppression shall be waged 

 against the Starling, and it behoves all who have the 

 farming interests at heart to closely watch its ways. 

 Remember the rabbit and the Sparrow ! 



The Ibis of our swamps and river-systems, and the little 

 Blue Wren of the forest, are well equipped by nature to act in 

 the capacity of feathered police for the protection of man's 

 fields and fruit trees. 



A few years ago a large colony of Ibises, totalling perhaps 

 200,000 individuals, existed on a swamp in New South Wales. 

 These birds were voracious eaters, and it has been calculated 



