SECRETARY'S REPORT. 117 



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encd away l)y the extraordinary measures taken against the 

 sparrows. The great king was obliged to confess to himself 

 that he had not the power to alter that which had been ordained 

 by a still greater King than he, and that all attempts at violence 

 and wrong were sooner or later avenged. He retracted his 

 decree, and was even obliged, at a considerable expense, to 

 import sparrows from afar, for these being birds of obstinately 

 sedentary habits, would never have returned of their own 

 accord." 



In 1847 an immense forest in Pomerania was on the brink of 

 being utterly ruined by the havoc of caterpillars. It was sud- 

 denly and very unexpectedly saved by a band of cuckoos, who, 

 though on the point of migrating, established themselves in the 

 place for a few weeks, and so thoroughly cleansed each tree that 

 the following year neither depredators nor depredations were 

 to be seen. The cuckoo, like the smaller insect eaters, eats all 

 the day long, for the caterpillar is full of juices, and contains 

 but little solid nutriment. By careful observation it has been 

 ascertained that the cuckoo devours one caterpillar every five 

 minutes. If we assume that one-half of the destroyed insects 

 are females, and that each female contains about five hundred 

 eggs, one single cuckoo daily prevents the reproduction of forty- 

 two thousand five hundred destructive caterpillars. 



Thousands of these instances might be given of the great facts 

 that have been ascertained in Europe concerning the utility of 

 birds, but my space will not permit a longer discussion of the 

 subject. In conclusion, I would say, that thanks to the present 

 existing law, protection is secured for most of the valuable birds 

 in the State ; but unfortunately, in some localities, the law is 

 totally disregarded, and attempts are made annually to have it 

 repealed by the legislature. That such a repeal would be inju- 

 dicious I think there is no necessity for my remarking here ; but 

 I would respectfully suggest to the gentlemen present that no 

 opportunity should be lost to discourage such legislative action, 

 and also to extend individually that protection and encourage- 

 ment to these their best friends, that their labors and associations 

 most certainly merit. 



On motion of Mr. Stedman, of Chicopee, a unanimous vote of 

 thanks was tendered to Mr. Samuels for his very instructive and 

 entertaining address. 



