214 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



In summing np the evidence gathered during the ten years, 

 Dr. Hart Merriam says : — " It is clear that the good exceeds 

 the bad, and that the Crow is a friend, rather than an enemy, 

 of the farmer." 



Dr. Cobb makes some suggestions as to keeping it in order. 

 " The shooting or poisoning of the bolder Crows that pull 

 sprouting grain or steal fruit is so obviously commendable 

 that the law should not interfere with the farmer's efforts in 

 this direction. On the other hand, so useful a bird should not 

 be outlawed. The best way to deal with our sable friend is 

 to frighten him away from the place he is likely to damage, 

 but otherwise to let him alone." Certain means are recom- 

 mended, such as scarecrows, windmills, pendent tins, poles 

 and strings, poison, tarred grain, etc. 



" Just consider for one moment the helplessness of man 

 before an advance of a plague of grasshoppers. Day by day 

 the young hoppers issue from their breeding grounds, and in 

 countless numbers make their way over the country, on foot 

 or by flight, eating every green thing. To-day the country is 

 flourishing ; to-morrow the plague passes by, leaving desola- 

 tion, and often ruin, in its path. One who has not experienced 

 it cannot imagine the feeling of utter gloom wrought by such 

 a visitation. Nothing will avail against it. All the scientific 

 experts in the country may fire insecticides by the ton into 

 such a mass without any appreciable effect. It would be like 

 Mrs. Partington trying to keep back the Atlantic Ocean with 

 a mop. The fields of nature are, however, patrolled by a 

 feathered police, whose function it is to keep this destructive 

 insect in check, and if man does not interfere with these 

 friendly watchmen locust plagues will be much fewer, and less 

 destructive when they do occur, while the ravages of ordinary 

 seasons will be kept at a minimum." 



iV^s^.— Placed high or low in a tree, composed of sticks and 

 twigs, and lined slightly with softer material. The open nest 



