THE BIRD STUDY BOOK 



It is a fact well known to careful observers that the 

 deep, unbroken forests do not hold the abundance 

 of bird life that is to be found in a country of farm- 

 lands, interspersed with thickets and groves. Orig- 

 inally extensive regions of eastern North America 

 were covered with forests wherein birds that thrive 

 in open countries could not find suitable habitation. 

 As soon as the trees were cut the face of the country 

 began to assume an aspect which greatly favoured 

 such species as the Bobolink, Meadowlark, Quail, 

 Vesper Sparrow, and others of the field-loving vari- 

 eties. The open country brought them suitable 

 places to nest, and agriculture increased their food 

 supply. The settlers began killing off the wolves, 

 wild cats, skunks, opossums, snakes, and many of 

 the predatory Hawks, thus reducing the numbers of 

 natural enemies with which this class of birds has 

 to contend. 



When the swamp is drained it means that the otter, 

 the mink, and the Wild Duck must go, but the 

 meadowland that takes the place of the swamp pro- 

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