Adirondack Birds in their Relation to Forestry. 25 



yet commonly found in scrubby growth on the edge of wood- 

 lands. Several members of the family, which includes the mock- 

 ing birds, rank high as vocalists. They are insectivorous birds, 

 but are too few in number to be of great economic value. The 

 Brown Thrasher, Catbird and Winter Wren constitute the Adi- 

 rondack contingent. 



Swallows, Swifts, etc. — A group of birds quite abundant in the 

 Adirondacks, the Swallows being frequently seen in large flocks 

 over lakes, streams and open fields. They live entirely on insects 

 which they catch while on the wing. Few birds are more deserv- 

 ing of protection. The Cliff, Tree and Barn Swallows are com- 

 mon in the North Woods. Although of another family the Chim- 

 ney Swift is here included. Likewise the Ruby-throated Hum- 

 ming Bird, which is a common Adirondack bird, whose favorite 

 perch is a roadside telephone wire. 



Game Birds. — While of no especial value to a forest, the north- 

 ern game birds deserve protection because of their value as food, 

 and for the hunt. The red fox is the worst enemy of the Grouse. 

 Ruffled Grouse is the only common game bird, although the 

 Canada Grouse and Woodcock are occasionally seen. 



Noctur7ial Birds. —The Whippoorwill and Night Hawk are the 

 two strictly insectivorous, nocturnal birds of the Adirondacks. 

 The night-flying moths and millers are their chief prey. Several 

 species of Owls also occur, but they subsist mainly on rodents. 



Crows and Jays. — " Saucy, impudent and worthless," describes 

 the Crows and Jays of the woods. By destroying cutworms the 

 Crow makes himself useful to the farmer, but in the woods he is a 

 nois}^ thieving rascal. The Jays are no better. The common 

 Crow, Canada Jay (Whiskey Jack) and Blue Jay are the repre- 

 sentative species. 



An exhaustive study of the food supply of the forest birds has 

 never been attempted, but their value in the forest seems so undis- 

 putable that all possible protection and encouragement should be 

 given them, unquestionably. If, in addition, steps be taken to 

 destroy the natural enemies of the birds, to curb the bloodthirsty 

 spirit of the small boy with his first gun, and to discourage the 

 useless ^g^ collecting mania of the amateur ornithologist, the 

 mutually beneficial relations which now exist between the birds 

 and the forest will be perpetually maintained. 



E. A. Sterling. 



