94 



Bird Notes and News 



caterpillar, the value that accrues from the 

 presence of Rooks and Starluigs cannot be 

 over-estimated. The writers themselves have 

 noticed large flocks of these birds over 

 heavily infested areas. The scarcity of the 

 Lapwing is a further factor in connection 

 with the present infestation." 



The plague spread also to Cumberland, 

 and a correspondent m that county notes 

 the part taken by the Black-headed Gull 

 in dealing with it. 



THE BULLFINCH. 



" W. A. S.," who has made special study of 

 this bird, writes : — 



" It is hard to convert people who have 

 allowed themselves to get into the groove 

 of old and unreasonable antipathies. I find 

 it so in this part of Surrey with regard 

 to that lovely bird — Nature's pruner — the 

 Bullfinch. Certain rich men order its com- 

 plete destruction, though usually they have 

 more fruit than they can possibly need ; 

 and so it comes to pass that in a neighbouring 

 village I have seen a gardener shoot one 

 within twenty feet of a main road. Some 

 of his class have listened to my arguments 

 when lecturing or in private conversation. 

 The employer usually laughs in scorn : he 

 knows better ; but has he ever observed ? 

 Here are some birds keenly attacking certain 

 gooseberry bushes in our garden in North- 

 amptonshire. I drive them off suddenly, 

 and, as expected, every single dropped bud 

 is grubbed and useless. Day after day we 

 watch some more just on the top of a quince 

 tree in Surrey. They never touched the 

 lower branches where we had a fine crop. 

 Next season the fruit was heavy aU over 

 the tree. 



" The heather is in beautiful flower as I 

 write, just in that one section of the common 

 where quite a party of Bullfinches were hard 

 at work for weeks on end. So too with the 

 Sallow buds, or those of our medlar or 

 damsons in my old Sussex home. I am 

 certain what their work is. Besides this, 

 they eat all sorts of noxious seeds, and their 

 graceful actions are a joy to watch. When 

 a fine cock very slowly enjoys a raspberry 

 — ^just drupel by drupel — that is, I think, 



one of the most charming sights of wild 

 life in one's garden." 



BIRDS AND THE WAR IN THE 



U.S.A. 



Forewarned by the experience of England 

 and the ignorant onslaught on birds which 

 the R.S.P.B. has had to contend against, 

 the Audubon Association of the United 

 States promptly issued, when war was 

 declared, linen posters bearing the following 

 caution in English and Italian — 



War. 



Protect the Birds as a War Measfre 



The food destroyed in America by insects 

 and small rodents would feed the people of 

 Belgium ! Birds are the great natural 

 enemies of these pests. The laws of this 

 State and of the Nation protect insect-eating 

 birds, but many are being shot wantonly 

 and for food. Report violations to the 

 nearest Game Wardens or to the address 

 given below. 



Writing in Bird- Lore (August, 1917), 

 Mr. T. Gilbert Pearson says — 



" There is growmg evidence that owing 

 to the high cost of meat and other food- 

 staples, Italians and Hungarians in the 

 North and negroes in the South have turned 

 an unusual amount of attention to the 

 kiUmg of songbirds, and as the war goes on 

 this slaughter will tremendously increase, 

 unless checked. . . . 



" This is the time when all Audubon 

 Society members should be particularly 

 .alert. The enormously increased acreage 

 being put under cultivation means that the 

 greater crops of succulent plants, grains, 

 and vegetables will furnish additional food 

 for insect-pests. With increased food there 

 will be an increased number of insects. This 

 means we need a greater number of birds. 

 We must wage a campaign of the utmost 

 vigilance. Birds should be fed during the 

 time of the year when their natural food is 

 scarce. More nesting- boxes should be placed 

 for them, and drinking fountains should be 

 provided in dry regions ; and, above all, 

 look out for the man or boy with a gun 1 " 



