BIBDS IN A VILLAGE. 
59 
as we are doing, with methods no better and no 
worse, putting up scarecrows and old ragged 
garments and fluttering rags, hanging a dead crow 
to a stick to warn the others off, shouting and 
yelling and throwing stones. There appeared to 
be an opening here for experiment and invention. 
Mere noise was not terrifying to birds, and they 
soon discovered that an old hat on a stick had no 
injurious brains in or under it. But certain sounds 
and colours and odours had a strong effect on some 
animals. Sounds made to simulate the screams 
of some hawks would perhaps prove very terrifying 
to thrushes and other small birds, and the effect 
of scarlet in large masses or long strips might be 
tried. It would also be worth while to try the 
effect of artificial sparrow-hawks and other birds 
of prey, perched conspicuously, moving and jerking 
their tails at intervals by clockwork. In fact, a 
hundred things might be tried until something 
valuable was found, and when it lost its value, for 
the birds would in time discover the deception, 
some new plan adopted. 
To this dissertation on what might be done, he 
answered that if any one could find out or invent 
any new effective means to keep the birds from the 
fruit, the fruit-growers would be very thankful for 
it ; but that no such invention could be looked for 
from those who are engaged on the soil, that it 
