THIRTEEN] SECURING OUR ALLIES 



tribes, and then into families. These families then 

 resort to the same places where their lives were 

 spent during previous years — unless there is a 

 general agreement that there is good reason for a 

 change. Most of these birds are very methodical, 

 both in coming and going. Swifts get to Central 

 New York on or about the 24th of April; catbirds 

 about the fifth of May. Their times for departure 

 are just as accurate, showing that their social life, 

 in tribes and peoples, is as cooperative as with us. 

 With their arrival in the spring begin work and 

 music, love and family cooperation. Bird home 

 life is a model life. If you have obligations, re- 

 sponsibilities, duties, especially of a home sort, do 

 not worry, but sing. And what a tremendous 

 amount of work these birds of ours accomplish 

 during their three or four months' stay with us ! The 

 rearing of a bird family requires incessant labor 

 and incessant watchfulness. 



A recent writer says, " We are learning that suc- 

 cess in horticulture and agriculture depends on a 

 good understanding of the birds." The robin, 

 the catbird, the song sparrow, the grosbeaks, and 

 most of the thrushes destroy vast quantities of in- 

 sects, while the goldfinches and other seed-eaters 



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