552 MAN CONTROLS HIS ENVIRONMENT FOR WEALTH 



C. Clarke 

 Of what economic value is the robin? 



The following descrip- 

 tions will help one to 

 recognize a few of our 

 common birds which are 

 of decided economic value 

 or harm. The size, color 

 markings, food, and fa- 

 miliar habits of some of 

 our common birds will be 

 given, with a brief state- 

 ment of the reason why 

 they are man's friends or 

 enemies. 



Robin. A bird known 

 to all of us makes an 

 excellent type for com- 

 parison with other less- 

 known birds. The robin 

 is nine to ten inches long. The male is brownish gray above, 

 tinged with olive, with brown wings, and black on the head 

 and the tail. The throat is light gray with black spots, and the 

 breast is brownish red. The female is similar but darker in color. 

 The robins live near houses and in orchards and make their nests 

 of grass and mud, in trees or on buildings. The robin is a true 

 thrush, whose pleasing song delights us in early spring. Its eco- 

 nomic value is often discussed as it eats much fruit early in the 

 season. Its diet usually consists of about 40 per cent insects, 

 most of which, as ground beetles, caterpillars, plant lice, and cut- 

 worms, are harmful. From February to May, in the east, its food 

 is almost entirely insects. The western robin has done damage 

 to olive and other fruit orchards when insect food was scarce, 

 but like its eastern relative, it consumes a large percentage of 

 insects most of the time. 



Bluebird. This is one of our earliest migrants. Its cheery 

 note and blue coat are easily recognized. It is six and one half 

 to seven inches in length. The male is bright blue above, and 

 chestnut underneath. The female is duller in color. It nests in 



