80 



ELEMENTAEY AGRICULTUEE 



grain, though the examination of the stomachs of 

 five hundred cardinals did not prove this to be true. 

 Tarring the Seed. To prevent the western gros- 

 beaks from pulling the seed grain, the farmers soak 

 the seed corn or other grain in a barrel of water and 

 stir it thoroughly with a stick dipped in gas-tar. 



When the grain be- 

 comes black, it is 

 spread on sacks and 

 dried in the sun. With 

 this coating of tar, it 

 is safe from the birds. 

 Seed planted with a 

 checkrow planter is 

 not disturbed be- 

 cause the earth is 

 packed. 



Protecting Grain 

 Fields. Some farmers 

 protect their fields of 

 ripe grain by plant- 

 ing a few rows of mil- 

 let on the edge of the 

 field. Birds prefer 

 millet to other grain, but it should be sowed so as to 

 ripen at the same time as other grain. 



The Grosbeak and the Orchard. Mulberry and 

 june-berry trees will protect an orchard in the same 

 way. The black-headed grosbeak, if not prevented, 

 eats a good deal of fruit; but it has been estimated 



Fig. 51. 



T-he common 

 BohwMte, 



Quail or 



