22 OUR BIRD ALLIES. 
slaughter of the former is spread over a considerable 
period, increasing, meanwhile, at a sort of compound 
and very high interest. 
The farmer, therefore, in tolerating or encouraging 
such birds, mischievous at one time but useful at 
another, enters upon an investment, so to speak, and 
submits to a present and small loss to insure a future 
and greater gain. He sinks capital, in fact, in order 
that he may obtain profits. And there is this great 
advantage, that, by merely scaring the birds from his 
fields during their season of mischief, instead of 
mercilessly shooting them down, he can reduce the 
necessary outlay of capital—and reduce it largely— 
and at the same time obtain his profits in un- 
diminished measure ; while his expenses in so doing 
will be no greater than if he adhere to the ordinary 
system. 
Paradoxical as the statement may appear, our 
wisest plan in the struggle with Nature is to enlist 
Nature herself as our ally. Her power is far too 
great for us to overcome in fair fight. If we persist 
in opposing her, there can be but one possible result, 
and that a disastrous one for ourselves. But by 
taking advantage of her sympathy with us, by accept- 
ing the hand which she holds out to us in friendship, 
and by meeting her overtures half way with our own, 
we can ensure for ourselves success far greater than 
any which, by reliance upon our own unaided and 
impotent efforts, we can ever hope to attain. 
