FOES AND FRIENDS OF THE PLANT 225 



with two wings, or ichneumon wasps with four wings). 



(Hodge's "Nature Study and Life/ 7 Chapter 14.) 

 Toads. Every one who has a garden knows that 



I the toad is the best friend he has in Helping to keep 

 I insects in check. If you wish to see how many insects 

 ; it consumes, put it into a box with some moist earth, 

 j and after a day or so bring in all the insects you can 

 j find (of all sorts) and put them where the toad can get 

 I' at them. 



Frogs and related animals also live largely on insects. 



(Hodge's ' ' Nature Study and Life, " Chapters 16 and 17.) 

 Birds. Many birds help to keep insects in check by 



feeding on them. This is a help to the farmer even 



when the insects eaten are not attacking crops, because 



almost any insect may, under favorable conditions, 



become a pest, and it is well to have all of them kept 



in check (except of course the helpful ones mentioned 



above). 



A few of these birds also eat fruit and grain, and 



so may do as much harm as good. But it is well to 



encourage and protect the birds as much as we can. 



Nesting places made of boxes or old tin cans placed on 

 j trees or posts near the house will help to make the 



home grounds more pleasant by attracting the birds. 



(Hodge's "Nature Study and Life," Chapters 18 to 



21.) 



Hawks and owls are almost wholly beneficial, because 



they kill gophers, field mice, and similar pests of the 



