THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 413 
table than if allowed to run. The stock intended for laying 
may be given free range when four months of age, or when 
too large to be attacked by Crows or most Hawks. 
2. Kingbirds, Martins, or our largest Hawk, the Osprey 
or Fish Hawk (Pandion haliaétus carolinensis), if allowed 
to nest near the coops, will protect all poultry from Hawks. 
All these birds are confiding wherever they are unmolested. 
Where the Osprey is protected it will build its nest in a tree 
near the farmyard. It never troubles poultry or small birds, 
and should be protected by law at all times. 
3. Hawks may be frightened away from the poultry yard 
if a general shout is raised whenever one appears. 
4. When a Hawk has flown off with a chicken it should 
be followed quickly but cautiously, and may be shot while 
absorbed in eating its prey. 
GENERAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES. 
The first and most important step in protecting birds 
from their human enemies is to create a public sentiment 
in favor of birds, by teaching their value and the necessity 
for conserving them. This is a legitimate work for State 
boards of agriculture and State boards of education. Free 
lectures on this subject, illustrated by stereopticon, should 
be given at teachers’ institutes and State normal schools, 
at gatherings of school children held for the purpose, at 
farmers’ institutes, and before farmers’ clubs and grange 
meetings. Some work of this nature has been done by the 
Massachusetts State Board of Education and by the orni- 
thologist of the State Board of Agriculture, but much more 
should be done. 
There are ample reasons for introducing economic nature 
study in the schools. The utility of birds and the means of 
attracting and protecting them should be taught in home 
and school as the most important bird study. A feeding 
shelf for birds should be put up at a window of every coun- 
try school-house, or upon the flag pole. Children should be 
induced to plant trees, vines, and shrubs that furnish food 
for birds. The making of nesting boxes should be taught 
in the schools. This is a good subject for manual training 
classes. The boy who learns to feed birds and to furnish 
