THIRTEEN] SECURING OUR ALLIES 
tribes, and then into families. These families then 
resort to the same places where their lives were 
spent during previous years — unless there is a 
general agreement that there is good reason for a 
change. Most of these birds are very methodical, 
both in coming and going. Swifts get to Central 
New York on or about the 24th of April; catbirds 
about the fifth of May. ‘Their times for departure 
are just as accurate, showing: that their social life, 
in tribes and peoples, is as cooperative as with us. 
With their arrival in the spring begin work and 
music, love and family codperation. Bird home 
life is a model life. If you have obligations, re- 
sponsibilities, duties, especially of a home sort, do 
not worry, but sing. And what a tremendous 
amount of work these birds of ours accomplish 
during their three or four months’ stay with us! The 
rearing of a bird family requires incessant labor 
and incessant watchfulness. 
A recent writer says, “ We are learning that suc- 
cess in horticulture and agriculture depends on a 
good understanding of the birds.”’ The robin, 
the catbird, the song sparrow, the grosbeaks, and 
most of the thrushes destroy vast quantities of in- 
sects, while the goldfinches and other seed-eaters 
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