14 BIRDS OF ALABAMA 



flycatchers, and the nigrhthawk (bull-bat). The orioles seek 

 out the weevils in their hiding places on the cotton plants, 

 while the other birds mentioned capture the insects in the air. 

 In winter a host of birds render valuable service by hunting 

 out and destroying the boll weevils in their hiding places 

 under rubbish, in crevices in the ground, or in the bark of 

 trees. Among the species most useful at this season in the 

 destruction of weevils may be mentioned the meadowlark or 

 "field lark," the various blackbirds or grackles, the pipit or 

 "titlark," the Carolina wren, the tufted titmouse, the Savan- 

 nah sparrow, and the killdeer. 



As conservators of the forests the various woodpeckers 

 (with the single exception of the yellow-bellied sapsucker) 

 rank very high. Important service in this respect is rendered 

 also by the nuthatches, wrens, titmice, and creepers. 



On the farm and in the orchard a great host of insectivorous 

 birds constantly prey upon the numerous pests which infest 

 the foliage, bark, or roots of cultivated crops, and it is doubt- 

 less true that without the aid of the birds insects would be- 

 come so numerous that the raising of crops would be impos- 

 sible. Careful investigation of the food habits of the hawks 

 and owls, usually killed on sight without discrimination, has 

 shown that with the exception of three or four species these 

 much-maligned birds are really friends of the farmer, their 

 food being composed in large part of insects, field mice and 

 rats, snakes, frogs, and crawfish. The only birds of prey 

 which habitually destroy poultry or game birds are the Cooper 

 hawk and the sharp-shinned hawk (known as "blue darters"), 

 and the great horned owl. All other hawks and owls are 

 worthy of protection, except in the rare instances when an 

 individual bird acquires a taste for chicken.* 



Game Resources of Alabama. 



During the settlement of the country by white men and for 

 many years thereafter wild game was abundant practically 

 everywhere. Quail and wild turkeys were found in all sec- 



*For detailed information on the food habits of birds, consult Fanners' Bnlletin 756, 

 "Birds of Southeastern United States in Relation to Aericulture," and other bulletins of 

 the Biological Survey, U. S. Department of AKricuIture; also "Useful Birds and their 

 Protection" and "Game Birds, Wild Fowl, and Shore Birds," by E. H. Forbush, pub- 

 lished by the Massachusetts State Board of Asrriculture. 



