INTRODUCTION. 11 
that appear in the stomachs of California orchard birds. On the 
other hand, in the Eastern States more than 40 species of wild 
fruits have been found in the stomachs of a single species—the 
Eastern robin. In the general dearth of wild fruits on the horti- 
cultural areas of the Pacific coast it is not surprising that when 
domestic fruits were first cultivated there the birds gave them a 
warm welcome, and the orchardist’s crops suffered accordingly. 
Another reason why birds attack fruit in California more than in 
the regions farther east is the dryness of the summers, Juicy fruits 
proving an acceptable substitute for water. To secure enough water 
for their necessities California birds must often fly several miles, while 
in the Eastern States localities are few in which water can not be 
cbtained within a few rods. In confirmation of the theory that in 
attacking fruit liquid for slaking thirst is sought by birds as much as 
food, it may be stated that much of the injury done to small juicy 
fruits in California, such as grapes and cherries, consists of simple 
punctures in the skin, through which apparently nothing but juice 
has been drawn. 
PROTECTIVE MEASURES. 
It would appear most desirable that some of the available fruit- 
bearing trees, the fruits of which are of little or no value to man, but 
which to birds are even more acceptable than cultivated kinds, should 
be freely introduced into California for the protection of the orchard- 
ist. That some of them would thrive there hardly admits of doubt. 
Morus alba, the Russian mulberry, is one of the best, the fruit having 
little value unless as food for birds. All fruit-eating species are fond 
of it. Both the red and the black mulberries are equally sought after, 
‘but are not often planted for birds alone. The paper mulberry 
(Broussonetia papyrifera) is hardy and is a favorite bird food. Sev- 
eral species of Prunus or cherry, including the choke cherry (P. vir- 
giniana), and especially its western form (P. demissa), the black 
cherry (P.serotina) ,and the bird cherry (P. pennslyvanica) ave of great 
value in protecting fruit crops, birds almost invariably selecting their 
fruit in preference to the cultivated varieties. There are also several 
ornamental varieties of cherries, such as the European birdcherry (P. 
avium), P. pendula of Japan, and P. sphwrocarpa of Brazil, which 
are hardy, the latter in warm regions only, and valuable as bird foods. 
Both the pepper tree, Schinus molle, and the elder, Sambucus, now 
abundant in California, are eaten by many birds, and both may be 
planted near orchards with the certainty that they will serve to pro- 
tect them. 
Another measure recommended for the protection of orchard fruit 
is a supply of water accessible to the birds. Drinking places for 
birds in every large orchard would tend to reduce the injury done to 
