58 WILD LIFE CONSERVATION 



sented. Consider this array of birds that devour 

 the larvae of the codling-moth to an important 

 extent: six species of woodpeckers, two of fly- 

 catchers, three jays, two blackbirds, one oriole, two 

 sparrows, two warblers, six chickadees, nuthatches 

 and creepers, one towhee, one cardinal, one king- 

 bird, one grosbeak, one bunting, one swallow, a 

 kinglet, bush-tit, robin and bluebird. 



In some places these birds have been credited 

 with having destroyed from 66 to 85 per cent of 

 the hibernating codling-moth larvae. 



But we must return to the consideration of the 

 other important groups of insect-eating birds. 

 Undoubtedly every student of forestry will be more 

 interested in the work of Group No. 2, the tree- 

 climbing birds, than in any other, because nearly 

 every member of that group is itself a forest con- 

 servator of long standing. It is at all times a great 

 pleasure to consider the woodpeckers, nuthatches, 

 chickadees and creepers. 



Of all man's numerous feathered friends and 

 allies, the woodpeckers appeal to me most strongly. 

 I admire the courage which prompts them to stay 

 with us throughout the long and dreary winter, and 

 take their chances of finding food and shelter. I 

 admire both the indomitable industry and the 

 mechanical skill with which they dig into the bark, 

 and even the trunk-wood of trees, in grim pursuit 

 of the insects that need to be destroyed. The 

 woodpecker is a true sportsman, not an angler. 



