THE COUNTRY HOME [chapter 



gested, that is, of shutting up my cats during the 

 whole of the bird-nesting season, I am not only mul- 

 tiplying the more common birds, but am winning 

 to me the grosbeaks, indigo birds, scarlet tanagers, 

 wood thrushes, song sparrows, and others that 

 rarely draw near our houses ; and all these, domes- 

 ticating themselves about my house, my berry 

 fields and my barns, are making of them a sort of 

 Garden of Eden. At the same time I am reaping 

 a benefit in all ways quite equal to that given to the 

 birds. Joining our forces, we are able to absolutely 

 exclude the English sparrow. He has given up all 

 attempts to cross our boundary line. 



In some of the French villages boards are set up 

 with the following inscriptions : 



** Hedgehog: Lives upon mice, snails, and wire- 

 worms — animals injurious to vegetation. Don't 

 kill a hedgehog. 



" Toad: Helps agriculture; destroys twenty to 

 thirty insects hourly. Don't kill a toad. 



^'Cockchafer and its Larvce: Deadly enemies to 

 the farmers; lays seventy to one hundred eggs. 

 Kill the cockchafer. 



''Birds: Each Department of France loses yearly 



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