STATE HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. 257 



Perhaps some expect on this occasion a classified list of our 

 common birds, with a division of good and bad. It was my in- 

 tention at first to attempt this, but I have about come to the 

 conclusion that none of us are competent to make the division 

 between beneficial and injurious birds. 'No doubt a great ma- 

 jority of them do some damage, and some do much more good 

 than others. Among those that deserve particular mention as 

 the most beneficial to the fruit grower and farmer are the robin, 

 bluebird, catbird, brown thrush, nut-cracker, meadow lark, cow- 

 bird, pigeon, quail, flycatcher, woodpeckers, warblers, vireos, 

 swallows, swift, nighthawk, whip-poor-will, orioles, tanagers, 

 cuckoo, and I would like to include the bluejay, if there is no 

 objection. These, we may be sure, do much more good than 

 harm, and while I do not advocate the destruction of any, I 

 would particularly recommend the above mentioned species as 

 deserving our protection, knowing that we will be well rewarded 

 for our trouble, and that time spent in the study of their habits 

 will not be wasted. How to protect our birds has become a 

 serious question, and the fruit growers should be the first to take 

 active steps in their favor, for it is they who receive the direct 

 benefit of their active labors in the destruction of noxious insects. 



DISCUSSION. 



Mr. Underwood. I can not discuss the paper read as I heard 

 only a few of the closing sentences. But speaking of birds re- 

 minds me of the experience we had this last summer, and I would 

 like someone to tell us what to do. It is an experience that 

 perhaps is easily answered and perhaps covered by the paper, 

 but I would like to hear what to do before I go home because I 

 might forget it if I didn't find out now. If you had a nice crop 

 of grapes and the birds had managed take the best part of them, 

 I want to know what you would do about it; would you let them, 

 have the grapes or shoot the birds ? 



Mr. E. E. Harris. I suppose I am expected to answer that 

 question. We have had very much the same experience, as 

 the birds are probably as thick in our locality as anywhere else. 

 I don't say anything about that, because I object in all cases to 

 killing the birds. I have lost a good deal of money on that ac- 

 count. By burning a good deal of powder and making a good 

 deal of noise one can frighten the birds, but I would recommend 

 one to be very careful about shooting not to hit any of the 

 birds. 



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