MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS, &C. 337 



It is only by the united observations of various persons, that 

 we must expect to learn many curious facts in Natural history of 

 which we are still ignorant. 



ANON. 



That the destruction of sparrows, and small birds 

 generally is very injurious to those who have gar- 

 dens and orchards I am strongly induced to believe. 

 A proof of this has been sent to me by a corres- 

 pondent, to whom I am indebted for much inter- 

 esting information. He informs me that attached 

 to his garden, is a fruit plantation of three acres, 

 containing gooseberries, currants, raspberries, cher- 

 ries, apples, pears, plums, &c., and that he never 

 allows birds to be destroyed or their nests taken. 

 The consequence is that he is never annoyed with 

 caterpillars. He adds, that about two miles dis- 

 tance from his residence, there is " a small bird 

 club,' 5 the members of which are bound to pro- 

 duce a certain number of small birds every week. 

 Each year the caterpillars devastate the planta- 

 tions, and last year an apple-orchard of more than 

 ten acres was so infested, that the owner employed 

 women to pick off every blossom in order to save 

 the trees. It is hoped that a knowledge of this 

 fact will induce persons to discontinue the wanton 



Q 



