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fond of the insects that have become abnormally numerous, 

 since they provide abundance of good food. 



In the United States, it has been estimated that in at least 

 one state { Illinois ) there is an average of three wild birds to 

 the acre, excluding the water fowls. Taking these figures as a 

 basis for comparisons we can readily see what the bird-life of 

 Argentina might be. In making these comparisons the fact 

 that Illinois is a " prairie state " should also be borne in mind. 



This country ( Argentina ) contains, according to Rand & 

 McNally's pocket-atlas of the world, one million, one hundred 

 and twenty-five thousand and eighty-six square miles which is 

 ■equivalent to seven hundred and twenty milUon, fifty-five thous- 

 and and forty acres. To keep entirely within the truth and 

 at the same time avoid fractions, we will suppose that there are 

 only five hundred million (500,000,000) birds including domestic 

 fowls to be found in all Argentina. Allowing each of these a 

 full-grown locust daily it Avould take 1,250 tons, of 400,000 locusts 

 each, simply to go round. Could this number of birds be doub- 

 led this increased number would require twice as many locusts 

 or 2,500 tons daily. This increase in the number of birds could 

 be obtained simply by each person seeing that he himself kil- 

 led no bird or birds for a period of two \'ears. 



Of course there are many birds in the country which are quite 

 small and do not eat so large an insect as a full-grown locust. 

 There are others, how^ever, like the ostrich, gavilán, carancho, 

 chimango, martineta, perdiz, gulls, geese, turkey, hen, ducks, 

 and dozens of others that not only eat one but scores of full- 

 grown locusts daily — sufficient of them to even up for those 

 that do not do so. 



Judging from^what I have seen oí the people during the few 

 months I have remained in the country, they are especially fond 

 of birds of all kinds. Hardly a family but has one or more kinds 

 of birds in cages about the house or garden. Wh}'' then do the}' 

 permit the wholesale slaughter of these beautiful creatures 

 which they love ? It can not be that they are ignorant of the 

 fact that this very thing is going on in their midst from the 

 beginning to the end of each year. I cannot understand it. 

 Every boy who is old and big enough to wield a piece of 

 wire, a stick, a rubber-sling, or whatever it may be, that can 

 kill a bird, spends much of his time in persecuting these useful 

 and lovely creatures. The older boys and men use guns, 

 boleodoras, etc. Nests are rifled of eggs and young- alike 



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