CHECKS UPON INCREASE OF USEFUL BIRDS. 359 
that the people have taken to killing the smaller species, and 
the killing of small birds is regarded as sport. An Italian 
sportsman will secure a small live Owl, fasten it on a pole 
to attract the birds, take his station near by, and shoot every 
small bird that appears ; poachers stretch great nets in places 
where birds come to _ 27 eter 
feed or drink; and thus | a 
the small birds that are 
reared under protection | 
in northern Europe are 
slaughtered on their 
migrations in the south. 
The steady stream of 
immigration from Italy 
to America constitutes 
a great menace to the 
smaller birds, as well as 
to all birds and all ani- 
mals that are eatable. 
Unless this element of 
population is prohibited 
from carrying guns, the 
effect of their inroads pig. 154. —The Italian sportsman and his decoy 
upon bird life will soon ih SRO eae 
be manifest here. Trustworthy correspondents state that 
the Italian contract laborers kill practically all the birds in 
the neighborhood of their camps. Many Italians trap birds 
by means of birdlime or trap cages. Boys with shot guns, 
“air rifles,” and various destructive weapons, shoot at any- 
thing that offers a fair mark. The improvement in firearms 
and the reduction in their price go hand in hand with the con- 
stant increase in the number of people able to bear arms, the 
augmentation of the number of crack shots, and the acces- 
sion to the number of dogs trained to hunt birds. 
Snares are still much used, even where forbidden by 
law. Children, especially boys, destroy the nests and eggs 
of birds, thus constituting a considerable check on bird in- 
crease. The mania for collecting birds’ eggs is widespread. 
Some boys use the nests of birds for targets and their eggs 
