THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 411 
injury than the one we attempt to prevent. The destruction 
of too many corn-pulling Crows, for example, might be fol- 
lowed by such an increase of grubs and grasshoppers that no 
grass could be grown; or the extermination of Hawks and 
Owls might be succeeded by the destruction of all the young 
fruit trees by hordes of mice. Moreover, other evils, far less 
simple and easily traceable, might result, for the widening 
ripples that man creates by disturbing the balance of nature 
are likely to be felt in the most unexpected places. 
Most birds earn more of our bounty than they receive, 
and that portion of our products which they ordinarily eat 
may be justly looked upon as but partial payment for their 
services. Nevertheless, the farmer must protect his prop- 
erty from excessive injury, such as sometimes occurs when 
the natural food supply of birds is cut short, or when too 
many are gathered upon a small area. 
To protect Grain from Crows and Other Birds. 
The following spring measures are recommended : — 
1. Tar the seed corn, as follows: “ Put one-fourth to one- 
half bushel of corn in a half-barrel tub; pour ona pailful of 
hot water, or as much as is necessary to well cover the corn ; 
dip a stick in gas tar, and stir this briskly in the corn; re- 
peat until the corn is entirely black ; pour off onto burlap 
(bran sacks are excellent) ; spread in the sun and stir two 
or three times during the day. If this work is done in the 
morning, and the day is sunny, the corn will be ready for 
the planter the next day without any other care. The hot 
water softens the tar so that just enough will adhere to the 
corn, and the corn is completely glazed by the sun. This 
is by far the quicker way of tarring corn, is: harmless and 
effectual, and I have for years planted with a machine corn 
treated in this way.” 
2. Scatter soaked corn often about the borders of the field. 
3. Plant the seed three or four inches deep. This is said 
to prevent corn-pulling by Crows, and must be effectual on 
heavy soil. 
1 Ethan Brooks, in Annual Report of the Massachusetts State Board of Agri- 
culture, 1896, p. 294. 
