13 



But especially did he dwell upon the fact that birds are 

 the natural allies and friends of man. Stating'and illustrating 

 the immense powers of re-production, possessed by the count- 

 less insect tribes, and the fearful ravage which has always 

 followed, and always -will follow their unchecked develop- 

 ment — he showed us that to birds alone can "we look for an 

 efficient remedy. Among other proofs of this assertion, he 

 mentioned that, sometime, I think in the 18th century, a cer- 

 tain county in Virginia had become the home of numerous 

 birds. The planters were much annoyed by their depreda- 

 tions — and at last determined to be rid of them. They got 

 up a grand hunt. Every man and boy in the district turned 

 out. The whole territory was traversed, and every luckless 

 bird in it was shot or scared away. It took but a very few 

 years to show them their mistake. Bugs, caterpillars, aphi- 

 des, moles and mice, now had the field all to themselves. And 

 then, with ruin and starvation looking them full in the face, 

 the convinced and repentant planters, took measures to win 

 back the exiled birds. 



In our Transactions for 1861 — three years after Mr. Page's 

 onslaught upon the robin — Mr. Wilson Flagg appears with 

 " A Plea for the Birds on account of their utility to Agricul- 

 ture." His defence of the birds is elaborate and thorough. 

 An admirer and careful observer, himself, he has collected a 

 large amount of facts, in regard to the habits and food of 

 many different birds. If these statements can be relied on — 

 if they are veritable facts — and I see no reason to doubt 

 them — those who encourage, and even those who wink at the 

 wanton destruction of our birds, are chargeable not only with 

 folly, but with madness. 



Mr. Flagg's vindication of the robin is full and complete, 

 and well entitles him to the reward of that bird's earliest and 

 sweetest song. I wish I could have heard what Mr Page 

 said when he read Mr. Flagg's statement that the robin "em- 

 ploys fruit only as a dessert — not as his substantial meal." 



The Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, 



