128 WILD LIFE CONSERVATION 



dent evidence, and especially not on charges pre- 

 ferred by ignorant persons. Investigate; take 

 testimony on both sides, and be very certain that 

 you are right before you sign the death warrant. 



In taking up our four principles one by one, we 

 begin with that which concerns the species which 

 inflict some damage to man's interests, but not 

 sufficient to deserve death. 



A few years ago we heard much about the robins, 

 blue jays and thrushes that devour cherries and 

 strawberries and other small fruits. Of late, how- 

 ever, we have heard from the horticulturists very 

 little on this point. The farmers have learned to 

 value the good services of those birds, and the birds 

 themselves have vastly diminished in number. The 

 agricultural press has rendered such excellent ser- 

 vice in behalf of the insectivorous birds that now, 

 and henceforth, we have little reason to fear that 

 any American farmer of sufficient industry and 

 intelligence to maintain fruit-trees will be so igno- 

 rant as to kill the insectivorous birds that each sea- 

 son take a few cherries and other small fruits in 

 payment for their labor in destroying insects. 



The most serious indictment against these birds 

 that I ever have heard comes from the vineyards 

 along the southern shore of Lake Erie, where the 

 robin has done serious damage by his habit of 

 taking a single grape at each descent, thereby for 

 each grape spoiling the appearance of a marketable 

 bunch. 



