BIRDS AND HORTICULTURE 



pillars, and fall canker-worms. In the winter it 

 inspects trunks, branches and buds for insect 

 eggs and hibernating insects. 



Birds of prey are often regarded as harmful, 

 but, with few exceptions, are exceedingly valu- 

 able. Hawks and Owls are the natural enemies 

 of rabbits and mice. They bear the same rela- 

 tion to rabbits and mice that smaller birds bear 

 to insect enemies. 



The Cedar Waxwing, Catbird, and Robin are 

 fond of cherries and small fruits. They eat 

 more wild than cultivated fruit, and destroy 

 many harmful insects, and probably do more 

 good than harm. 



A large number of one species of birds in 

 any locality is apt to result in serious dam- 

 age to crops. When the natural supply of food 

 is exhausted, cultivated varieties are attacked. 

 Birds are so important in keeping weeds and 

 noxious insects in check that every effort should 

 be made to protect them and secure their co- 

 operation. The best results are secured by 

 attracting a few individuals of many different 

 species. There would thus be a demand for 

 many different kinds of food, without an exces- 

 sive demand for any one kind. Each bird has 

 its place in the economy of nature and deserves 

 encouragement and protection. 



A study of the food of young birds is of the 

 197 



