■F^^T^rr ^sT. 



NSECT, Nectar, ^^^ Fruit-eating 

 Birds. 



How birds affect the orchard or farm is little understood in 

 its true light. " Economically considered birds are simply 

 natural forces, and it should be our purpose to ascertain how 

 they may be turned to our greatest advantage. The best 

 economic conditions are probably fulfilled when birds are 

 numerous as species and moderately abundant as individuals. 

 Under such conditions there will be a demand for food of 

 many kinds without excessive demand for any one kind. 

 The most desirable status would seem to be such a relation 

 of numbers and species between birds and insects that the 

 birds would find plenty of food without preying on useful 

 products, while the insects would be held in such check that 

 they would neither increase to a harmful extent nor be 

 completely exterminated. The proper course to pursue, 

 apparently, is to study the food habits of both birds and 

 insects, to favour the increase of species which seem best 

 adapted to preserve the proper balance, and to reduce the 

 numbers of those that prey too greatly on the products of 

 orchard or farm."* 



* " Year-Book of Department of Agriculture, 1900." 



