OTHER ANIMALS 641 



It is the part of prudence, therefore, to protect useful birds at all 

 times, and so to augment their numbers that they may constantly 

 play their respective parts in the police system ordained by nature 

 and be ready, when emergency arises, to wage active and aggressive 

 warfare against sudden invasions of insect enemies. 



PROTECTION OF BIRDS FROM MAN. 



Most of our States have laws which, if fully enforced, would go 

 far to secure adequate protection for birds. The wholesale destruc- 

 tion of our songsters and insectivorous birds for millinery purposes 

 has been largely stopped, although even now in some States the 

 statutes are frequently violated by unprincipled bird hunters for the 

 sake of gain. But laws, while wholesome and necessary, are not so 

 effective for the protection of birds as is an enlightened public senti- 

 ment. In a country like our own, where education is general, a 

 knowledge of the part birds play in the economy of nature is more 

 effective for their protection than are any laws, however well ad- 

 ministered. Instruction of this kind should be given to every school 

 child in the land, and it is gratifying to note that the importance of 

 this practical side of nature study is fast being recognized by educa- 

 tors. When the value of birds is universally known and they are 

 everywhere cherished as friends, protective laws will be compara- 

 tively unimportant. 



In this connection brief allusion may be made to a class of im- 

 migrants to our shores who are ignorant 'both of our laws and of the 

 need for enforcing them, and who look upon birds, large and small, 

 only as food. Cheap guns and ammunition in the hands of thr.-o 

 newcomers furnish means for the indiscriminate slaughter of birds 

 for the pot, and public sentiment is either not recognized or is ig- 

 nored. Nothing but strict laws, rigidly and impartially enforced, 

 can save our birds from these pot hunters. 



MEANS OF ATTRACTING BIRDS TO THE FARM. 



There are many ways of attracting birds to the farm and about 

 the farmhouse. A convenient drinking and bathing place near the 

 house is one of the most effective lures for birds known, as well as one 

 of the cheapest. For wrens, swallows, bluebirds, chickadees, and! 

 other kinds, which build in cavities of trees, boxes may be put up, 

 care being taken to protect them as far as passible from the aggressive 

 English sparrow. Above all should the fanner pay attention to the 

 cats on his farm. It is only recently that the extent of the depreda- 

 tions of the house cat on wild life, especially on birds, has been recog- 

 nized. Many who have studied the matter believe that taking the 

 year round cats are responsible for the death of more birds, especially 

 young ones, than all wild animals put together. This may or may 

 not prove to be an exaggeration, but unquestionably cats every- 

 where, especially on the farm, destroy vast numbers of birds. Even 

 the well-fed and well-housed pet is responsible for many valuable 

 lives, but the greater number are destroyed by strays which mistaken 

 kindness has turned adrift, when not wanted in the house, to live as 

 best they may. An adequate remedy against the bird-catching cat 

 is neither easy to suggest nor to apply, but at lca.-t the farmer, who 



