GAME BIRDS. 137 



A few other species of small singing birds are hurtful by 

 eating seeds and biting-off buds, such as : 



Bullfinch (Pyrrhula europaea, Vieill.). 

 Mealy Keel-poll (Linota linaria, L.). 

 Ked-breast (Erythacus rubeciila, L.). 



Even titmice (Paridae) do some harm, and woodpeckers 

 (Pici) make holes in trees ; these families, however, do more 

 good than harm. Birds which do indirect injury by killing 

 other useful birds will be described further on under the 

 heading Insects. 



2. Damage Done. 



Destructive species of birds eat-up seeds and fruits, bite-off 

 buds, young shoots, and tender seedlings, but are generally 

 useful by destroying insects, and the damage done by birds in 

 forests is in general much less than that by the rodents and 

 deer already referred to. 



3. Protective Rules. 



Delay sowing until the birds have paired, and cover the 

 seeds well. The birds, after pairing, no longer fly about in 

 large numbers, and they kill more insects than before 

 pairing, both for themselves and for their young. 



The seeds may be steeped in red-lead mixed with water, or 

 in distilled water, lime-water, or very dilute* acids, so as to 

 hasten the germination, and the period of danger from 

 seed-eating birds may thus be reduced to as short a space as 

 possible. 



Sowings may be covered with moss, or branches ; in 

 nurseries, with wire-netting over hoops of hazel, willow, etc. 



Scarecrows may be used, or paper feathers on string, or 

 stuffed birds of prey. 



Watch the sowings till the young plants are large enough 

 to be out of danger. 



Fire off blank cartridges, or shoot the birds. 



