50 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



a common species in our fields, is another seed eater and in this category- 

 must also be placed the Bobwhite and, as already intimated, all our graniv- 

 orous species. I would not seek to overestimate the good done in this 

 manner, but if we consider that when these birds are not destroying 

 the weed seeds they are usually rearing their broods of young and must 

 feed them chiefly on insectivorous diet, it is evident that our smaller graniv- 

 orous species are an invaluable asset to the State. 



Distributing fruit seed. While the inhabitants of New York State 

 have been destroying the forests more rapidly than wise policy would 

 dictate, especially on land which is poorly fitted for any other growth than 

 trees, the birds have been overcoming to some extent the evil effects of 

 excessive deforestation. As one drives across the country, the roadside and 

 fence row bear abundant evidence to the effects of planting by the birds. 

 The sweet cherry and the black tartarian have been scattered along every 

 fence row, roadside, and the edges of the forests throughout the greater 

 portion of the State. The Robin and the Cedarbird are principally respon- 

 sible for this planting. In like manner various sections of the country 

 have a pleasing line of junipers along the highways and fence rows planted 

 by the selfsame birds. Likewise, throughout the forest the various dog- 

 woods and viburnums are scattered by all the fruit-eating species mentioned 

 in a preceding paragraph, especially by the thrushes. In western New York 

 the panicled dogwood has been planted along roadsides and many fence 

 rows and throughout every swamp. The seeds of the shadbush, which 

 brightens the landscape with its showy blossoms, have been scattered 'by the 

 thrushes and finches. The forester might object that most of those trees are 

 of little use for timber, but there is at least one valuable timber tree which 

 is planted extensively, especially by the Flicker and Robin, — the black 

 cherry (Prunus serotina), and to some extent the cucumber tree (MagnoHa 

 acuminata) and sour gum (Nyssa). If the lumberman is not pleased by 

 the fruit-planting species, the botanist certainly is, for all the fruit-bearing 

 plants must necessarily become exterminated except for the agency of the 

 birds in scattering their seeds throughout the fields and woodland. 



