Rats and Weasels are very destructive, and should be trapped 

 or shot whenever or wherever one may chance to find them. 



One of the greatest difficulties that the protector of wild life 

 experiences in his efforts to increase the numbers of useful birds 

 and animals, is the constantly recurring numbers of predatory spe- 

 cies that will inevitably swarm within his protected area. However 

 we must admit, from the results of observations by reputable nat- 

 uralists, covering a period of many years, that predaceous species 

 of both birds and mammals, when not too abundant, render an 

 important service in keeping the health of our useful species at 

 its highest standard, by destroying the sickly and maimed indi- 

 viduals. This prevents disease from spreading and becoming a se- 

 rious epidemic, particularly among our upland gamebirds. All the 

 hawks, owls and foxes should not be destroyed, for then our 

 country would soon be overrun by weasels, rats, mice and other 

 rodents. It is only when the numbers of harmful species are out 

 of all proportion to those of the useful species that we must by a * 



process of extermination restorelflature's balance^Unfortunately _ji f^fl 

 today the predaceous birds and species in many sections of our ' 

 country have multiplied in numbers beyond a point of safety. 

 There is no way of overcoming this menace except by eternal 

 vigilance in judicious trapping and the use of firearms. Like vul- 

 tures, these "pests "as Dr. Hornaday rightfully calls them, seem 

 to intuitively gather to the good hunting grounds of the Wild 

 Life Refuge or Sanctuary. 



Present day methods of spraying trees with poisonous fluids and 

 the use of powerful machines for the purpose, must no doubt 

 continue, in order to destroy the myriads of leaf-eating insects that 

 defoliate our trees. Nevertheless, nests, eggs, and young birds are 

 destroyed by the powerful, drenching stream thrown by the power- 

 sprayer. Birds are not found in numbers in sections where the 

 trees have been thoroughly sprayed. Not only have their homes 

 been destroyed, but also the insect life upon which they feed. 

 Whether many birds die from the effects of eating insects that 

 have been poisoned is a question that still remains unanswered. 



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