THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 



377 



birds must seek their food from larger and higher shrubs, 

 trees, and vines. The mountain ash, black alder, and red 

 cedar are favorite fruiting trees in winter ; while among 

 shrubs, barberry and sumac are much sought. 



Fortunately, many of the trees or shrubs which furnish 

 food and shelter for birds are suitable for use in the ornamen- 

 tation of grounds. 

 Hedges may be made 

 of holly or hawthorn. 

 The red cedar and 

 other coniferous trees 

 are highly ornamen- 

 tal. Elm, maple, and 

 ash trees are all in 

 demand for shade. 

 Some of the shrubs 

 may be used as bor- 

 ders for drives or 

 massed to hide defects 

 in the landscape. The 

 Virginia creeper may be utilized in place of the imported ivy 

 vines. Many of the plants in our list may be employed in 

 forming tangles along stone walls, about rocky eminences, or 

 on the borders of swamps or ponds. Such tangles, overgrown 

 by smilax or other vines, form safe retreats for small birds 

 when pursued by Hawks, and furnish secure nesting places. 

 They also provide sheltered retreats for the winter birds. 



Feeding and Assembling the Winter Birds. 



The results of assembling the winter birds about the 

 farm and orchard are of the utmost value to the farmer. 

 Prof. H. A. Surface, State Zoologist of Pennsylvania, writes 

 that a Mr. Mann, a well-known pear grower of Rochester, 

 N. Y., told him that one year the pear tree psylla had de- 

 stroyed his entire pear crop, and that he thought there were 

 no prospects of a crop the following year ; but Nuthatches 

 came and worked " in flocks " in his orchard all winter, and 

 in the spring he could find hardly an insect. Thus these 

 Nuthatches saved him thousands of dollars in one winter. 



Fig. 158. Fruit of the Virginia juniper or 

 red cedar. 



