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 haliaetus 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 



