ON THE USEFULNESS OF BIRDS. 341 



unusual numbers even for this region. In Lancaster County, where tbe road to Mil- 

 ford crosses Middle Creek, the blackbirds that were passing southward, so persistently 

 fed on some spots as hatdly to leave a locust behind. 



10. I happened to be in the Republican Valley, in Southwestern Nebraska, in Au- 

 gust, 1874, when the locusts invaded that region. Prairie-chickens and quail, that 

 previous to their coming had a large number of seeds in their stomachs when dis- 

 sected, seemed now for a time to abandon almost all other kinds of food. At least, 

 from this onward for a month little else than locusts was found in their stomachs. All 

 the birds seemed now to live solely on locusts for a while. 



No Nebraskian will forget the countless number of young locusts that hatched out 

 in the spring of 1875. Only where they were renioved by causes known or unknown, 

 were crops produced during this season over the infested region. Among the few 

 causes operating in the destruction of locusts during that period was the work of the 

 insectivorous birds. Among the spots that birds frequented was one on the west side 

 of Salt Creek, not more than two miles from Lincoln. There was a small area of 

 about three hundred and twenty acres that harbored an immense number of locusts. 

 The birds, however^ made it one of their feeding-grounds, and the locusts lessened daily 

 in numbers. Within a month hardly a locust was left. Similar instances of the work 

 of birds were observed farther down on Salt Creek and on Middle Creek. 



In the spring of 1877 the locusts disappeared so rapidly from other causes after they 

 had hatched out, that little opportunity was given to examine what effect the birds 

 had on them. Yet, on Middle Creek and its tributaries, and in various other places, I 

 could see that the birds sensibly and rapidly diminished their numbers. One notable 

 point was a few miles down Salt Creek from Lincoln. In May I visited the spot 

 owing to the reported great numbers of locusts there. I estimated the number when 

 I visited the place to be about one hundred and thirty-five to a square foot. Already the 

 birds had discovered it, and within sight were quail, larks, bob-'o-links, yellow-head8, 

 plovers, curlews, and a few prairie-chickens. They were all apparently feeding on 

 these locusts. With my glass I could see them picking up these insects. In a month 

 hardly a locust was left at this j)lace. 



The following letters, giving instances similar to the preceding of the good deeds of 

 birds, have been received in reply to my inquiries : 



Dear Sir: In answer to your inquiries I have only this to say: During the last 

 season I planted a tract of Mr. Brentlinger's land, north of Omaha Cr^ek, in addition 

 to my own, in corn. It was on new breaking, where the locusts had laid their eggs. 

 After planting my corn the locusts began to hatch, and in immense numbers, and 

 threatened to destroy all my corn. The blackbirds, however, in large numbers, com- 

 menced to feed on the locusts, and devoured them almost as fast as they hatched out. 

 This gave my corn a chance, and 1 obtained a good crop, but without the work of the 

 blackbirds this would have been impossible.— [Jacob Heikes, Dakota City, Nebr , 

 October 3, 1877. 



My Dear Sir: In reply to your inquiry relative to the value of our birds as insect- 

 destroyers, I will mention one instance that came under my personal observation last 

 spring. Adjoining my residence in West Point in this State there was a wheat-field. 

 About the t.me the wheat was two inches high young grasshoppers made their appear- 

 ance in great numbers, and in a short time they had eaten the wheat so that the field 

 in many places was as bare as a street. About that time I noticed that large flocks of 

 birds — mostly the common blackbirds — were frequenting this field daily. I soon dis- 

 covered that they were after the hated 'hopper. I went out frequently to make observa- 

 tions, and I am satisfied that each bird destroyed at least 300 locusts daily. In about 

 ten days the birds ceased their visits, and upon inspection I found that the 'hoppers had. 

 disaiDpeared also. The wheat sprang up again, and made a good crop. 



There are many other similar instances where birds saved wheat-fields from being 

 destroyed by the grasshoppers in my county, to which my attention has been called bj'' 

 farmers. I observed that orioles (which, by the way, were very numerous with us this 

 season) are great insect-destroyers. — [Senator Crawford, West Point, Nebr., November, 

 7,1877. 



[Mr. Crawford, the author of the above letter, is a member of the Nebraska 

 State senate, and draughted the present law prohibiting the destruction of our insectiv- 

 orous birds.] 



