1898 J Nelson, Notes on Mexican Birds. i ^ ^ 



the small buds and joints, loose bark, etc., of the smaller, smooth 

 limbs. In addition, it can be said in favor of both these birds 

 that they are inclined to remain in one vicinity and do not 

 wander far from it, but steadily and thoroughly work over one 

 feeding ground. 



Possibility and Desirableness of Partial Domestication. 



Both these birds are very easily approached', and may readily be 

 lured to orchards or shade trees, — they are quite common upon 

 the shade trees of Lansing and, as stated before, are very tame 

 on the campus. 



It is, then, self-evident, that by every means they should be 

 encouraged, by placing food for them till they become at home, 

 by erecting suitable nesting sites, and by careful protection, to 

 feed and nest in the orchards. It might be interesting to try the 

 experiment of destroying as many old Woodpecker holes as pos- 

 sible and by placing suitable nesting sites in the orchard to thus 

 entice them. Yet, in general, the old holes in which they nest 

 should not be all cut out when securing fire wood, but a sufficient 

 number be allowed to remain. If the farmer will take a very 

 little time now and then in thus attracting these feathered insect- 

 destroyers to his orchard, he will soon find very little if any need 

 for insecticides except for extraordinary attacks. " An ounce 

 of prevention is worth a pound of cure " is truly more applica- 

 ble to the destruction of insect life than to almost any other phe- 

 nomena. 



