286 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



and often insects, as the plovers, sandpipers, &c. The spotted sandpiper or 

 pect-wcet, JVingokles macvlarins (Gray,) is often seen in the plouglied fields 

 and even in the cornfields eagerly searching for insects. 



In a brief general survey of the habits and characteristics of the different 

 birds and animals, and a similar review of the facts which have been presented by 

 scientific men regarding them, we find two great classes, one beneficial and the 

 other injurious. Of the mammals we found injurious mice and other rodents 

 which were being cons^tantly destroyed by the different carnivora. We also 

 found the bats feeding entirely upon insects which they capture in the air ; on 

 the surface of the ground the shrews are busy at the same work, as are also 

 the moles beneath the surface. In the birds we found different tribes with as 

 distinctly marked features. The diurnal birds of prey Ave found to be gener- 

 ally injurious, because of their destroying small beneficial birds ; and the noc- 

 turnal birds of prey we found to be beneficial in subsisting almost entirely 

 upon injurious mammals. We also found other whole orders whose lives are 

 epent in destroying insects. The manner in which this destruction is effected 

 we found to be varied and evidently intended by the Creator to be effectual ; 

 for we found those birds disposed in different circles or spheres, in each of 

 which are placed those best adapted both by form and habits — for instance, the 

 blackbirds, thrushes, larks, starlings, &c., destroy the insects infesting the 

 grass crops and other vegetations near the ground ; the creepers, titmice, &c., 

 destroy the insects, both in the larvae and perfect states, which are found on 

 the limbs and bark of trees ; the woodpeckers destroy the borers in the wood 

 of trees ; thft warblers, cuckoos, and orioles capture the insects and caterpil- 

 lars in the foliage ; the fly-catchers are almost continually busy through the 

 day, and the night-hawks and whip-poor-wills in the night, capturing the flying 

 insects near the earth ; and the swallows, that the insects shall have no loop- 

 hole for escape, are on the wing from daylight until dark, and even later, 

 securing those that have escaped through all their enemies. 



With these wise provisions for the very existence of man, and with these 

 beautiful laws for his protection, how ungrateful is he in disregarding them, as 

 he too often does even to the extent of actual interference and wilful neglect 

 in their execution. Fanners, henceforth let there be an honest and kindly 

 appreciation of the animals that have been created for our services. Love and 

 respect them. And the birds, think them not of too little importance to receive 

 your notice, for it is written : " Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing, and 

 one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father?" 



Encourage them, protect them, drive them not from you. Observe them, 

 study their habits, notice how their whole lives are given for your benefit ; and 

 although sometimes they may seem to be doing you an injury, be lenient and 

 patient with them, for " nothing was made in vain," and they certainly at some 

 time or another, will repay you moi'C than tenfold all that they may have 

 ti^en from you. 



