Birds as Crop Protectors 
reduced burning of grouse moors and upland 
pastures, and also to the absence of PLOVERS 
and STARLINGS (Dumfries and Galloway Stan- 
dard, 20.vi.17, and Royal Soctety for the Pro- 
tection of Birds: Annual Report, 1918), A 
similar plague of caterpillars spoilt the early 
promise of a great fruit crop in France (Daily 
Mail, 22.vi.17). 
There can be no doubt that popular feeling 
was against birds in general; moreover 
throughout 1917 there was a lamentable 
scarcity of the smaller species, due mainly 
to the abnormally severe weather conditions 
experienced in the earlier months of the year. 
This scarcity was deplored by the bird-lover, 
but should also have been regretted by the 
agriculturist, who should have realised that 
insects, which it is all but impossible to keep 
in check by human means, are effectually 
controlled in their earlier stages by birds. 
The misdeeds of birds are much more mani- 
fest than the benefits they confer upon us, 
and, sure enough, with the approach of spring 
in 1918, the old outcry against them was 
reiterated in the newspapers. It was asked, 
35 
