PROTECTION OF CROPS AND FRUIT 



in the male bird being as beautiful as Nature can make 

 him. Nature's aim is to carry on the species, and at 

 the same time eliminate the unfit. 



PROTECTION OF CROPS AND FRUIT 

 WITHOUT DESTROYING BIRDS 



Our energies should be directed to the prevention 

 of unnecessary destruction of bird life. The reduction 

 of birds by man is prompted by various motives and 

 desires : — 



i. Sport. 



2. Food. 



3. Insufficient knowledge in regard to their place 

 in the scheme of Nature. 



4. Mistaken beliefs in regard to their habits. 



5. Brutal and ignorant lust for killing defenceless 

 creatures. 



6. The demand by women for plumage. 



7. The craze for making collections of skins or 



eggs- 

 Many species of birds do considerable harm to the 

 products of man's toil and industry under certain 

 circumstances and conditions ; but from long experi- 

 ence in various countries it is now established that 

 birds should only be killed as a last resort, as, for 

 instance, when the seed-eating species, known as 



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