on the balance of Nature.



103



no difficulty in obtaining abundance of food, consequently an unusual

number of young birds must have been reared, all of which should be

vigorous.


One result of this increase in insect-life has been that abnormal

numbers of apples and pears have suffered from the attacks of the

codlin-moth, and windfalls have been so numerous, that one wondered

whether any fruit would ripen on the trees ; but then, our birds this

year have hardly touched my apples (and I don’t suppose I am an

exception to the rule in this respect), so that I have had as good a

crop as usual.


If our common birds have only pulled off two full nests this

year and the majority of the young are plump and vigorous, I think

last winter’s losses will be fully made up ; but I am rather afraid

that boys who have been encouraged this year to search for and

destroy sparrows’ eggs, may have exceeded their instructions, and

taken toll of the eggs of other species.


Of course, in the case of migratory species the number should

be greater than usual; since they not only would not have suffered

from the severity of the winter, but would certainly benefit by the

excessive quantity of, insect-food. Partly migratory birds which

have suffered have probably been replaced by immigrants which in

ordinary years might have wandered farther before settling down.


Early in the year I noticed an unusual number of young

birds in my garden, and this state of things continued right through

the summer, so that cats in this neighbourhood have had a particu¬

larly good time. (Why is there no tax on these predaceous creatures ?)

Although I suppose linnets only feed their young, in the earlier

stages of their growth, on green fly and very small caterpillars, I

never remember to have heard so many about as during the past few

w r eeks.


If we only experienced mild winters in this country, both

sickly and strong individuals would doubtless survive to propagate

their species ; and the chances are that our birds would deteriorate

in vigour ; so that, sad as it is to realise that thousands have perished

through cold and hunger, it may be of ultimate service in retaining

the constitutional vigour of later generations; anyhow it is better to

be optimistic and hope that such is the case.



