I=^^I^T I-V. 



Insect and Fruit-eating Birds, 



All animals live along the line of least resistance, and surely 

 we will understand that in thirsty weather fruit will lead some 

 birds along this line. 



Like other animals, they are very much governed by their 

 surroundings, and when one observer will record such a 

 species as the common Ked-wattle Bird as a pest, a second, 

 in another district, will say it is a bird practically harmless to 

 the orchardist. Even so, there are members of the feathered 

 class that show a distinct partiality for native fruits. It is 

 among the birds mentioned in this section that growers 

 cannot expect to find any resistance to so strong a temptation 

 as that given by the culture of choice fruits ck»se to their 

 natural haunts. 



If it is our duty, in the interests of self-preservation, to 

 treat the birds enumerated in this part more severely than the 

 preceding ones mentioned, I am strongly of opinion that a 

 great slaughter is an undesirable disturbance of the balance 

 of nature. The most effectual method is a severe punishment 

 administered on the spot where the fruit is growing. To 

 shoot or poison birds away from the place of transgression is, 

 in my opinion, little better than whipping a dog hours after it 

 has committed and probably forgotten a wrong. 



