INTRODUCTION. XXIX 
when going to field, and the Vesper Sparrow’s evening hymn will wish you a good 
night. All kinds of birds will multiply in your fields, orchards, and woods, and around 
your dwellings, and innumerable insects, now so injurious, will disappear. 
In the preface of her valuable and excellent work, “Injurious Insects of the Farm 
and Garden,’”’* Mrs. Mary Treat writes as follows: 
“I also wish to add my testimony in a few words in favor of the various birds 
that visit our gardens and orchards in the capacity of helpers, as they feed upon. some 
of the most noxious insects which we have to contend with. 
“First and foremost among these helpers is the Purple Martin. It is the general 
impression that this bird takes insects only on the wing, but it does more than this. 
I saw numbers of them this past summer, taking the rose bugs from the grape-vines. 
They swooped down and picked them off without alighting. They circled around in 
companies, back again to the same vine, each one snatching off a bug as he passed. 
And not only the rose bug falls a victim to his appetite, but he even stoops to take 
the Colorado potato beetle. This has been seen by others in our town as well as by 
myself. Put up boxes for the Martins, and see that the English Sparrow does not get 
possession. 
“The Oriole is another great helper. He knows how to pull the bag worm from 
his case, and does it systematically and rapidly. The tent caterpillar and fall web 
worm he also has a liking for. He ruthlessly tears the tents and webs to pieces and 
destroys untold numbers. Allow no gunner to shoot one of these beautiful, gaily dressed 
birds on your premises—not even if the lady of his choice is pining for a skeleton to 
perch on her hat. 
“For several years past, the leaves of our elm trees have been ruined by the elm 
beetle. Last year I noticed the Cedarbird devouring the beetles and larve. This year 
our elms are comparatively free from the pests. The leaves are scarcely injured at all, 
and the Cedarbirds are obliged to look close to find a beetle. They hunt over the trees 
in small flocks. They also destroy many other injurious creatures. This bird likes 
cherries. Raise enough for them, as well as for yourselves, and they will pay you back 
with interest. 
“The Catbird and Red-eyed Vireo both eat the unsavory pear slug. But it is not 
necessary to mention the good services rendered by our more common birds, such as 
the Robin, Brown Thrush, Catbird, Bluebird, and Wrens, as all observing horticulturists 
are aware of the good they do. Our winter birds are also doing good work. The 
seed-eating ones pick up great quantities of the seeds of noxious weeds, while our 
Woodpeckers, Creepers, Nuthatches, and Chickadees are constantly on the lookout for 
hibernating insects. Spare and encourage the birds, both winter and summer, about 
your grounds.” 
The great good our birds do can be observed by everybody who has an open 
eye. In the fall, winter, and early spring a great variety of Finches are constantly 
searching on the ground and even on the snow for the seeds of harmful weeds. The 
Goldfinch or Thistle-bird subsists in late summer mostly on the seeds of the thistle. 
Robins, Thrashers, Bluebirds, Catbirds, Red-winged Blackbirds, Meadow Larks, Bobo- 
* New York: O. Judd Co. 1889. 
