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AGRICULTURE 



BIRDS 



Birds' Food. Some birds, such as barn swallows, live wholly 

 on insects, most of which are harmful; some, such as bluebirds, 

 eat both insects and seeds, chiefly weed seeds; others, such as 



sparrows, live chiefly 

 or entirely on weed 

 seeds, fruit, and grain, 

 but feed their young 

 on insects until they 

 are able to digest hard 

 food. 



In two ways birds 

 are especially fitted 

 for the work of de- 

 stroying weed seeds 

 and insects. They 

 have keen eyes which 

 can discover tiny seeds 

 and insects; they have 

 hearty appetites; it is 

 no unusual thing for 

 a bird to eat its own 

 weight of food in a day. 

 Birds' services as weec 1 seed and insect destroyers entitle them 

 to be regarded by the far.ner as among his most helpful friends. 

 Too often they are not trea ed as such. Our beautiful and useful 

 song birds are killed by hundreds and thousands for food or sport. 

 What cruel and wicked slaughter ! Let us do our part to protect 

 and care for these bird friends. 



GOLDFINCH 

 A seed-eating bird 



