22 Decrease of Birds 



be many years before this fine bird can establish itself 

 even under the most favorable conditions."* 



The species mentioned as most affected by unfavorable 

 weather conditions are: Bluebirds, Purple Martins, Chim- 

 ney Swifts, Cardinals, Kingbirds, Ground Doves, Bob- 

 whites and other species more or less. No advantage 

 should ever be taken of any form of useful wild life which 

 is suffering from the severities of weather or other natural 

 causes. In many parts of the country it has become the 

 custom to feed the birds as long as snow is on ground. A 

 close season should be put on any species of game bird 

 which has been greatly reduced from any cause. 



Native Natural Enemies 



The following is a list of the native natural enemies 

 given as causing a decrease in bird life with the numbers 

 reporting each: 



Natural Enemies Number Reporting 



Hawks 48 



Snakes 24 



Foxes 20 



Owls 18 



Jays 16 



Crows 5 



Wildcats 1 



Minks 1 



Skunks 1 



Opossums 1 



In a state of nature undisturbed by man the native 

 natural enemies of birds do not cause any great reduction 

 in their numbers. When the first settlers came to this 

 country the native natural enemies were very abundant 

 and so were the birds. In a state of nature undisturbed 

 by man, the native natural enemies are the friends of 

 birds. By killing off the weak and unfit they keep birds 

 strong, alert and active. 



2Wayne, A. T., Birds of South Carolina, p. 45. 



