204 PROPAGATION OF WILD BIRDS 



be in part a fad or fashion, but it is much more a mani- 

 festation of the call of the wild which is fundamental in 

 human nature. 



Economic Value. Even if birds have no such attractive- 

 ness, it would still be essential to take measures for their 

 increase because of their vital importance to agriculture, 

 in destroying and keeping in check the hordes of insects 

 which otherwise would devastate the land. This is fully 

 recognized, and need not be discussed. 



Size No Criterion. The point of view should be widely 

 inculcated that interest in a bird should not be in proportion 

 to its size. To contemn small birds is the materiahstic 

 attitude of the pot-hunter, who sees nothing in a bird or 

 wild creature but the amount of meat. Once I was showing 

 a man a set of coloured photographs of wild birds in action 

 that I considered especially fine. With each succeeding 

 picture came the inquiry whether or not that bird was good 

 to eat. If it was, the man expressed pleasure; if not, he 

 gave a grunt of disgust. I closed the interview as soon as 

 possible. Here I would enter a plea for an intensive interest 

 in birds. No one is more fond than I am of a wild goose 

 or a grouse, or a great flight of wild ducks. None the less 

 some tiny bird gives me just as real a delight. When, say, 

 searching about in woods or swamp, I flush from its care- 

 fully hidden nest some rare warbler, a gem of bird Ufe, the 

 sensation is thrilling. Some such feeling is aroused by close 

 contact, perhaps at the bird lunch-counter, with some bit of 

 animated vivacity, like a chickadee or nuthatch, with its 

 sparkling eyes and quaint call. All forms of bird Hfe are 

 well worth while, and one will be greatly the gainer to cul- 

 tivate the faculty of getting pleasure from every bird that 

 crosses his pathway. 



Von Berlepsch Experiment. The notable and classic 



