180 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



support from insects and grubs, and consumes, probably, a greater 

 variety of species than any other bird. I am entirely at a loss to 

 account for this very prevalent and mistaken notion respecting the 

 frugivorous habits of the robin.' " 



Ther€ is also a prejudice against many other insect-eating birds, 

 though it may not be as strong as that against the robin. The 

 oriole has been accused of eating green peas. The cat bird and 

 thrush have been known to eat raspberries ; and some farmers 

 shoot the red-winged blackbird and hire boys to break up their 

 nests, because they say they have been caught in the very act of 

 pulling up a hill of corn. But alas for the poor bobolink ! I have 

 heard it positively asserted that these birds would destroy the 

 whole rice crop of the south, unless active measures were taken for 

 their destruction. There is no doul)t that large flocks of these 

 birds have been known to hover over and light down upon the rice- 

 fields ; but I cannot but think that the amount of damage done by 

 them has been greatly exaggerated, and would kindly suggest to 

 our Southern friends that this whole matter be carefully examined, 

 to see if the damage done by the host of constantly increasing 

 insects is not very much in excess of that ever done by the birds. 

 One thing is certain ; if something is not speedily done to prevent 

 the wholesale destruction of this, and several other species of birds, 

 they will in a few years become entirely extinct. 



I will try to name, as briefly as possible, what are some of the 

 enemies to our small, or insect-eating birds. The common crow, 

 in my opinion, does more damage by destroying the eggs and 

 young of other birds, than he does good in devouring a few 

 insects. I have watched him for years, and have seen hundreds 

 of robins' and other birds' nests destroyed, the eggs eaten, and the 

 young taken away. Hence the robin has learned to seek shelter 

 near the habitations of men. Last season a crow came into a small 

 tree not three rods from our house, and killed two out of a nest of 

 young robins, before he could be frightened awaj'. I would 

 reconnnend that all crows' nests in the vicinity of our farms be 

 destroyed, and perhaps, also, that the state offer a small bounty 

 on his head, as is done in other New England states. 



I am sorry to believe that the beautiful jay is often guilty of the 

 same mean business. Cats are useful animals, if well treated and 

 trained, but a superfluity of uncared for, hungry cats, is a very 

 great nuisance, and often destructive to young birds. Owls and 



