244 Descriptive Zoology. 



reptiles. Hence many authors include birds and reptiles 

 in the one group, Sauropsida, just as the fishes and am- 

 phibians are placed together in the group Ictyhyopsida. 



Game Birds'. The principal game birds are the various 

 kinds of grouse (the quail, prairie hen, partridge, sage hen), 

 the ducks and geese, and various wading birds, including 

 snipe, rails, plovers, etc. But the food value of these is 

 not great. All sportsmen who wish a continuation of these 

 game birds should agree in enacting such laws as shall 

 protect them so their numbers may not be greatly reduced. 

 The general sentiment is that they ought not to be killed 

 for market purposes, nor during the jreeding season. 



Value of Birds. The value and importance of game 

 birds sinks into insignificance in comparison with the 

 smaller birds. When we stop to consider the ravages of 

 insects, those that infest the fields and orchards, forests 

 and groves, the many larvae at the roots and on the foli- 

 age, the caterpillars, cankerworms, etc. ; and on the other 

 hand the multitude of birds mostly of small size the 

 robin and bluebird, the cuckoos and warblers, flitting about 

 in the tree tops all day long in search of these noxious 

 insects, when all these facts are weighed, we may well 

 raise the question whether, if all bird life on the globe 

 were destroyed, the earth would long continue habitable by 

 man. As it is, occasional plagues of insects strip large 

 areas of plants and bring on local famine. These birds 

 should be fully protected by law. Till lately the number 

 of many of these birds has rapidly 'decreased, owing to their 

 being killed for their plumage, to the collection of eggs, 

 and to wanton and aimless destruction. Besides game birds 

 none should be killed, except for scientific purposes, unless 

 they are themselves noxious, as crows and jays, the English 

 sparrow, a few hawks, and possibly a few others. 



