340 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



and destructive, they must be counted among the chief ene- 

 mies of the native birds. They defoliate the trees while the 

 birds have young in the nests. This exposes the young birds 

 to the rays of the summer sun and to the attacks of their 

 natural enemies, with the result that very few birds can be 

 reared in such localities. 



For the foregoing and other reasons the decrease in the 

 number of useful birds has been very marked in some of 

 the localities where their services are most needed. 



Suggestions for Experimental Work to determine the Prac- 

 tical Value of Birds as Moth Destroyers. 

 Inasmuch as there are now large tracts of forest lands in 

 the regions infested by the gypsy moth in which very little 

 work for the suppression of the insect can be carried on, 

 owing to the lack of sufficient means, it is suggested that 

 at least two competent men be employed to take measures 

 to attract and protect birds and increase their numbers on 

 certain tracts. It is important also to know whether the 

 titmice, nuthatches or creepers have learned to eat the eggs 

 of the gypsy moth. Apparently they had not learned this 

 during the years from 1895 to 1900, when their feeding 

 habits were watched by the agents of the Board of Agricul- 

 ture. Experiments should be made to attract birds to in- 

 fested localities by means of food and nesting boxes. The 

 work done by Baron Hans von Berlespch at Soebach has 

 been so successful that European foresters are putting up 

 thousands of his nesting boxes in the government forests. 

 Three thousand boxes which were used at the experiment sta- 

 tion at Seebach were nearly all occupied by birds. How 

 to attract and assemble birds and to increase their numbers, 

 in the face of the advance of a destructive and overwhelming 

 pest, will be a serious problem, but we should leave no stone 

 unturned to find means to stay devastating insects. These 

 suggestions are offered for the consideration of the Board 

 and the State Superintendent for the Suppression of the 

 Gypsy and Brown-tail Moths. 



