328 A Plea for the Birds 



Wherever there are insects, there will be found birds. 



They usually frequent pastures, orchards, trees of 



> the village, and the borders of springs and brooks. 



For birds that will not nest in houses, plant trees 

 and shrubs with berries on them, or near by. 

 Thickets, where they can be screened from the 

 approach of humans, are much appreciated. 



It has been proven that the bee-martin eats only the 

 drones among the bees, hence they are not detri- 

 mental to have around when bees are kept. The 

 bee-martin is also known by the name of kingbird. 



The best way to eliminate the English sparrow 

 from the gardens is to systematically destroy their 

 nests and eggs every ten days or two weeks during 

 the breeding season. 



Crows, blackbirds, magpies, and blue jays are 

 doubtful benefits to a neighborhood. 



The United States Government report states that 

 a virtue has been found in sparrows, in that they 

 save the country nearly a million dollars a year 

 by consuming great quantities of the seeds of weeds. 



Woodpeckers and kingbirds are very valuable to 

 the fruit grower as they consume a great many of the 

 insects that infect the barks of trees. Bluebirds, 



