THE OREGON SPORTSMAN 



The Economic Value of Wild Birds 



Facts that Show the Importance of Nature's Check Upon 



the Insect Pests 



During the past summer in many parts of the state there has 

 been an unusual pest of grasshoppers. The farmers in some parts 

 of eastern Oregon have complained especially on account of the 

 damage done to crops. According to Mr. Lewis Scholl. Jr., 

 Justice of the Peace at Echo, Umatilla county, the much-despised 

 crows gathered in the alfalfa fields by the hundreds and devoured 

 large numbers of grasshoppers. 



It is a most interesting fact that in Klamath, Lake and Har- 

 i-ey counties where the California and ring-billed gulls nest in 

 jarge colonies, about Klamath, Goose, Warner and Malheur lakes, 

 these birds spread out in the fields along the sage-brush plains 

 miles away from the water and live almost entirely on grass- 

 hoppers. It is rather a strange sight to see these web-footed 

 birds hunting a living so far away from the water. 



The Brewer blackbird, which is commonly recognized by the 

 whitish eye, is often seen during the latter part of the summer 

 feeding upon grasshoppers. After the nesting season, these birds 





Brewer Blackbirds Hunting - Grasshoppers. 



Pag-e five 



