316 



AGRICULTURE. 



When one considers, then, that the greater 

 per cent, of the food of birds is composed of in- 

 sects, and that of the vegetable material they 

 consume a large per cent, is weed seed, and that 

 they obtain fully one-half of the grain they do 

 eat from the waste of the feed-yard and other 

 places, and this largely in the winter months, 



FIG. 109. — " LOOK OUT !" 



when insects are scarce, it will be realized that 

 the best and cheapest meajis of keeping insects in 

 check is the encouragement and protection of 

 birds. 



It would be cheaper to allow the birds a 

 portion of the grain or fruit than to allow 

 the insects to take all, which would happen 



