XXVHI INTRODUCTION. 
be but one answer to this question: when we had forests and woodlands edged with 
belts of shrubbery, swamps with masses of thickets, when on the road-sides and along 
the fences trees and bushes overgrown with vines and other climbing plants, grew in 
abundance, we had birds everywhere and plenty. They limited the increase of insects, 
but now, that the birds are gone, insects have no enemies and can increase to unlimited 
numbers. All small birds are insect eaters, and at certain seasons of the year they feed 
on nothing else. But they have been killed and driven off, and their homes have been 
cut down. Some of the once common birds are now rarely seen. Scarcely fifteen years 
ago the Bobwhite, or Quail, was common in almost every field, but to-day it is heard 
no more, except in the most favorable localities. Of late Mr. Gustave Pabst, of Mil- 
waukee, Wis., attempts to re-introduce these once familiar birds into the southern part 
of Wisconsin. Many pairs have been set free in different localities during the last 
spring (1892). 
The eggs from which the cut-worms are hatched, are laid by a small moth of the 
genus Agrotis, which many birds and especially the Bobwhite are very fond of. It can 
be easily understood that several flocks of Quails must materially check the increase of 
cut-worms. The number of cut-worms are out of all proportion to the number of 
moths that lay the eggs. The destruction of a few hundreds or thousands of moths 
at the right time, is equal to destroying an army of cut-worms numerous enough to 
destroy large fields of corn and other cereals. On a field where there are several old 
Quails and their young, not many moths succeed in laying their eggs. 
During the early settlement of the country the insects were so incessantly attacked 
by numerous birds, that they did little or, at least, no serious harm; but now, that 
the birds are so greatly reduced in numbers, fruit-growing is no longer the pleasant and 
profitable business it was. 
To the question, what must be done to lessen insects, there is only one answer: 
protect the birds. Make laws forbidding the killing of them at any time, and see that 
all such laws are enforced. Of all civilized nations we have the least regard for the 
birds. We suffer them to be slaughtered at all seasons of the year, as if it were a 
matter of no consequence whether we have any birds or not. It seems that farmers 
and horticulturists have suffered enough already in consequence of the merciless war 
against the birds, and would need no arguments to convince them of the necessity of. 
protecting these faithful allies. One thing is quite certain. If the destruction of birds 
is not stopped, and that soon, crops all over the country will be annually damaged 
to a much greater extent than even now. 
We appeal to every farmer and horticulturist, to every man who loves his country 
and nature, to everyone who is interested in seeing insect depredations lessened, ‘to 
protect the birds. Give no one the privilege of shooting on your farm, or in your 
woods. Teach your children at home and have them taught in the schools, that the 
birds are the farmers’ friends, and are not to be hurt or in any way disturbed. Encour- 
age them to build their nests and rear their young on your farm, in your garden and 
yard, and in a few years you will be astonished at the result. The once familiar sound 
of the Bobwhite will again be heard coming from every field, the tinkling song of the 
Bobolink will enjoy you again, the Meadow Lark will greet you in the early morning 
