BIRDS TOADS BABBITS MICE. 133 



CHAPTER XX. 

 BIRDSTOADSRABBITSMICE. 



BIRDS. Much might be said of the value of poultry 

 in the orchard to destroy insect enemies. Insectivorous 

 birds are also valuable allies for the horticulturist ; but 

 in merit our domestic fowls outrank them all. It is ad- 

 vantageous to raise fruit and fowls together. It will be 

 to the advantage of both if the fowls are in number pro- 

 portionate to their field of operation. 



Poultry are supposed to- omit from their bill of fare 

 some of our insect friends, and it is probable the birds do 

 likewise ; but all insects are devoured by the toad, which 

 will clear your room of cockroaches over night, just as 

 he will your gardens of the vilest of your insect foes. I 

 find a movable fence, in sections that can be put to- 

 gether whenever it is wanted, a very convenient thing 

 for poultry. It may be made of lath nailed on scantling. 

 Others are using netting of wire cloth, and find it satis- 

 factory. It is to be hoped that the laws protecting in- 

 sectivorous birds will be generally respected, and that 

 our song birds will be left to multiply in our orchards 

 and gardens. The English sparrow is an enemy to be 

 destroyed, for doing more harm than good. 



RODENTS. There are two rodents that deserve notice 

 as enemies of the quince, apple, and pear. 



1. THE HARE or GRAY RABBIT (Lepus sylvaticus). 

 The hare, or rabbit, as it is commonly called, injures 

 young trees by cutting off the tops and by gnawing the 

 bark from those too large to eat off. This is often a very 

 serious damage in both the nursery and the orchard. 

 They multiply rapidly, and sometimes become formidable. 



Remedies. They are easily caught in traps and snares. 

 They may also be poisoned by strychnine, a small portion 

 being placed on pieces of carrot, of which they are very 



