insectivorous bird. By carefully estimating the birds in several areas, I find that, 
in Massachusetts, there are not less than five insect-eating birds per acre. Thus 
this state with its 8000 square miles has a useful bird population of not less than 
25,600,000, which, for each days fare, requires the enormous total of 2,560,000,000 
insects. That such figures can be expressed in terms better understood, it has 
been computed that about 120,000 average insects fill a bushel measure. This 
means that the daily consumption, of chiefly obnoxious insects, in Massachusetts 
is 21,000 bushels. This estimate is good for about five months in the year, May to 
September, inclusive; during the remainder of the year, the insects, eggs and 
larvae destroyed by our Winter, late Fall and early Spring migrants will be equi- 
valent to nearly half this quantity. 
It is the duty, and should be the pleasure, of every citizen to do all in his or 
her power to protect these valuable creatures, and to encourage them to remain 
about our homes. The author believes that the best means of protection is the 
disseminating of knowledge concerning them, and the creating of an interest in 
their habits and modes of life. With that object in view, this little book is pre 
pared. May it serve its purpose and help those already interested in the subject, 
and may it be the medium for starting many others on the road to knowledge of 
our wild, feathered friends. CHESTER A. REED. 
Worcester, Mass., 
October Ist, 1905. 
6 
