insectivorous bird, F.y carefr.Ily estimating the birds in several areas, I find that, 

 in Massachusetts, there ar*e not less !ian five insect-eating birds per acre. Thus 

 this state with its 8000 square miles' has a useful bird population of not less than 

 25,600,000, which, for each day's fare, requires the enormous total of 2,560,000,000 

 insects. That such figures can be expressed in terms better understood, it has 

 been computed that about 120,000 average insects fill a bushel measure. This 

 means that the daily consumption, of chiefly obnoxious insects, in Massachusetts 

 is 21,000 bushels. This estimate is good for about five months in the year, May to 

 September, inclusive ; during the remainder of the year, the insects, eggs and 

 larvae destroyed by our Winter, late Fall and early Spring migrants will be 

 equivalent to nearly half this quantity. 



It is the duty, and should be the pleasure, of every citizen to do all in his or 

 her power to protect these valuable creatures, and to encourage them to remain 

 about our homes. The author believes that the best means of protection is the 

 disseminating of knowledge concerning them, and the creating of an interest in 

 their habits and modes of life. With that object in view, this little book is pre- 

 pared. May it serve its purpose and help those already interested in the subject. 

 and may it be the medium for starting many others on the road to knowledge of 

 our wild, feathered friends. 



Worcester, Mass., CHESTER A. REED. 



October 1st, 1905. 



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