CHAPTER XXIII. 

 PREVENTING THE DEPREDATIONS OF BIRDS. 



ABOUT the only real interest the average farmer takes in 

 birds relates to methods of preventing the depredations of the 

 few species that are inclined to share with him the fruits of 

 his labors. He accepts their benefits, as he does those of 

 rain and sunshine, as a matter of course. He is free to avail 

 himself of any or all natural products that are favorable to his 

 welfare, so far as lies in his power, and also to avoid such as 

 work him harm, to the same extent. While he may not ex- 

 hibit a proper spirit of gratitude for past favors, when he pre- 

 vents robins and cedar-birds from taking his cherries he is at 

 least practical. The knowledge that crows and blackbirds de- 

 vour multitudes of insects is poor consolation for a ruined 

 crop. When such birds are made to desist from spoliation, 

 not only is the harvest insured, but the birds are thus made 

 to destroy more insects, thereby turning threatened injury 

 into real advantage. To protect crops from the ravages of 

 birds is quite proper and legitimate. 



It is easy for one who realizes the great value of birds to 

 let his gratitude get the better of his common sense, particu- 

 larly if he owns nothing that birds interfere with. " There is 

 a time to every purpose." The time to show gratitude to 

 birds is when they need it. The man who values birds be- 

 cause they are useful to him, or because he loves them, is 

 ready to feed them when food is scarce, to offer them nesting 

 facilities, and to protect them against their enemies. But when 

 his fields are burdened with grasshoppers there is no need for 

 him to allow robins in his berry-patch or blackbirds in his 

 corn. 



Birds may well be classed as natural resources. From this 



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