294 ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY 



against our material interests. Birds are the natural enemies 

 of insect pests, and the destroying of the birds means the rapid 

 increase and spread, and the enhanced destructive power of 

 the pests. It is asserted by investigators that during the past 

 fifteen years the number of our common song-birds has been 

 reduced by one-fourth. At the present rate, says one author, 

 extermination of many species will occur during the lives of 

 most of us. Already the passenger-pigeon and Carolina paro- 

 quet, only a few years ago abundant, are practically exter- 

 minated. In Japan and Italy there are hardly any song-birds 

 left so ruthless has been their destruction. We do not want 

 to come to that condition. Protect the birds! 



