118 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



river called the "toad hole," and often swarming with fish. 

 It is still a breeding place for toads, and also a resort for 

 herons, bitterns or shore birds in their seasons. Swamp 

 sparrows, sharp-tailed finches and rails frequent its marshy 

 borders. 



I have been thus particular in describing the surroundings 

 of the farm, because its fitness for attracting a variety of 

 birds seems to be almost ideal. 



In studying orchard birds, we learned that orchards sur- 

 rounded in part by woods and in part by open fields were 

 more frequented by birds, and therefore better protected 

 against injurious insects, than ^seve those surrounded by 

 fields alone. The assumption that a garden similarly situ- 

 ated would also receive a like measure of protection was 

 perhaps warranted. On such an assumption the selection 

 of the location for a garden was partially based. Our fii'st 

 task Avas to attract as many birds as possible to the garden. 

 No attempt will be made now to give a list of the different 

 species of birds found in the locality. "VYere such a list 

 given from the experience of only two j^ears, it would be 

 merely provisional. Most of the birds common to the 

 farms of Massachusetts are found here ; a few exceptions 

 will be noted later. 



As the place was not accjuired until July, 1900, all that 

 could be done that season was to attract the fall and winter 

 birds to the farm yard and garden. When the frosts came, 

 suitable food materials, attached to the trees and scattered 

 upon the ground or snow, caused a gathering of the birds 

 from far and near. 



The larger part of the birds remaining Avith us during the 

 winter belong to the sparrow family, and are all seed eaters. 

 Most of them feed their young largely upon insects, but 

 breed far to the north, mainly beyond the limits of agricul- 

 tural regions, so that during the breeding season their value 

 to man as insect eaters is not great. As fall approaches, 

 and frosts drive to their winter hiding places the insects on 

 which these birds feed in si)ring or summer, the sparrows 

 begin to feed on the now ripened seeds of wild grasses and 

 other plants which sparrows are especiallj^ fitted by nature 



