426 ELEMENTARY BIOLOGY 



The destruction of dead limbs and dead trees in forests and 

 wood lots will mean the disappearance of the downy and the 

 red-headed woodpeckers, but it is worth while to keep the 

 wood-lot clear. 



The spraying of orchard trees with poisons intended to 

 destroy caterpillars has led to the death of thousands of birds 

 that eat the poisoned insects. It is probable that in the long 

 run it would be more economical to encourage the birds to 

 nest in our orchards and let them keep the insects in check. 



454. Protection and encouragement of birds. Many of the 

 destructive agencies that affect birds are directly under our 

 control. When once we are convinced that it is worth while to 

 do so, it is possible to place electric wires underground, as is 

 now being done in the cities, for example. The Royal Society 

 for the Protection of Birds, of England, has had gratings 

 placed upon a number of lighthouses on the coast, to serve 

 as bird-rests. Here the migrating birds rest until morning 

 and then continue their flight. Thousands of birds are thus 

 saved from destruction ; and when we realize the value of the 

 birds, we shall no doubt plan to build all of our lighthouses 

 with some consideration for the safety of these animals. 



Men and boys will have to be educated to enjoy life without 

 destroying useful animals, and to find sport in opera glasses 

 or the camera ; and girls will have to be educated to be happy 

 without birds' plumage, or to be content with the dyed feathers 

 of domestic fowl. 



Those who have tried it seem to get as much fun out of 

 building nest boxes and shelters for birds as others can get 

 out of shooting or trapping them. And the birds that have 

 been encouraged to make their homes in our immediate neigh- 

 borhood will continue to furnish us with interesting sights and 

 sounds long after dead birds would have been forgotten. 



In addition to providing suitable boxes for bird nests, we 

 may do a great deal to protect them against starvation after 

 heavy snowfalls. At such times there is practically no food 



