1891.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. 51 



character, habit and value as insect destroying and grain and fruit 

 destroying birds, and advise on such legislation as may be neces- 

 sary for the protection of private and public interests. 



Now, if the discussion could take a turn which would help 

 the Board of Agriculture somewhat in making that report, it 

 would be agreeable to the Board, I doubt not. 



Mr. Foebush. It has been stated quite frequently by 

 farmers and by others that the kingbird does not eat the work- 

 ing bees, but eats only the drones. Is there any foundation 

 for that statement ? 



Dr. Warren. The kingbird, as well as other fly-catchers 

 which prey upon the honey-bee,*is no respecter of kinds ; he 

 preys upon both. I suppose, however, he prefers the drone, 

 as the drone does not have, as the Irishman says, the " hot 

 end." Both have been found in their stomachs. 



Mr. David Fiske of Grafton. I have had my fruit 

 destroyed to a considerable extent by red squirrels. I would 

 like to ask if there is any way to get rid of these squirrels. 

 Perhaps the doctor can tell me. 



Dr. Wabren. In addition to fruit, red squirrels also eat 

 various vegetables and certain cereals. The red squirrel is 

 carnivorous in his taste. It is a fact well known to those of 

 us who have traveled considerably in the woods and noticed 

 the habits of birds and other animals, that the red squirrel 

 will destroy the young as well as the adult of many different 

 kinds of birds when he can catch them. Many naturalists 

 agree that the red squirrel is not an animal that should be 

 protected. My impression from my observation in the woods 

 is, that the red squirrel does as much damage as he confers 

 benefit, probably more. In some States the red squirrel is 

 protected by the laws. If he is not protected by the laws, 

 then the best thing you can do is to kill him. 



Mr. J. T. Everett of Leominster. I have been deeply 

 interested in the learned lecture of our friend on the birds. 

 In my young manhood, fifty or sixty years ago, the habit of 

 bird-hunting was very common, and on the old State election 

 day it was a very common practice among the boys and 

 young men to have hunting matches. The crow, for instance, 

 counted ten, and other birds a great deal less, down to one. 



