RAVAGERS OF CROPS 235 



rats that are responsible for the loss of chicks 

 and baby pheasants. 



One of the best friends of the farmer is the 

 beautiful Lapwing or Plover, which if encouraged 

 on the land would quickly help to rid it of wire- 

 worms, leather-jackets, and other larvae which 

 attack the roots of grass and growing crops ; yet 

 every spring these birds are persecuted for their 

 eggs, which are diligently sought throughout the 

 breeding season, and sent in large quantities to 

 the cities. As a natural result of this annual 

 destruction of the eggs, the handsome and useful 

 Lapwing is steadily decreasing in numbers, is 

 becoming every year more shy, and seeking more 

 remote breeding places far from arable land 

 where its services would be so valuable ; and 

 will, unless adequate steps are taken to stop the 

 present wholesale destruction of its eggs, very 

 soon be numbered amongst the ever increasing 

 list of extinct species. The Tits and Finches, so 

 foolishly persecuted by prejudiced and unobser- 

 vant people, render invaluable service in the 

 destruction of bud-frequenting insects, devouring 

 these serious pests in countless numbers, so that 

 the birds destroy thirty or forty insect-infested 

 buds at least for every sound one that they may 

 spoil in the search for their natural food. The 

 amount of good work accomplished by the Star- 

 ling, by extracting and devouring grubs from 

 infested lawns and meadows, is truly remarkable, 

 and offers a most instructive object lesson in the 

 extreme importance and value of the insectivorous 

 birds in holding in check our insect foes. It is 

 only by the protection and encouragement of 



