Wild Birds in Relation to Agriculhm. 
337 
lady who “ had the audacity ” to appear in a tippet constructed 
with 500 robins’ skins ; he was only very slightly revived on 
learning that the deceased robins were of Spanish extraction.* 
Another ornithological witness observed with admirable pre- 
cision and praiseworthy sentiment that he did not think the 
moral aspect of a lady’s bonnet was improved when a stuffed 
robin was perched on the top of it.^ 
I am very sorry to pass over many matters of concrete 
interest to farmers, but, taking it as a whole, I must arrive at 
the general conclusions to be drawn from the evidence. 
All birds have their uses to agriculturists and gardeners, 
but some may be too numerous : birds generally do more 
good than harm. Man, whenever he steps in, violates the law 
of natural co-ordination : there is a balance of nature, and that 
balance man upsets. He, with wayward fancy, breeds and 
plants whatever pleases him, and regards not the natural con- 
ditions of the plant or animal.^ Insects swarm more and more 
because their checks do not increase in proportion, and that is 
entirely owing to the intervention of man. Insects are one of 
the greatest difficulties with which farmers have to contend : 
especially so where high cultivation prevails.' There is not a 
tree that grows which is not subject to attacks of its own 
particular familiar insect — the oak alone has no less than 50 
different invading insect persecutors.® Birds in England, as 
elsewhere, are the chief means of destroying insects.® Generally, 
in regard to birds and their food habits, there is crass ignorance. 
Foolish unreasonable unthinking “ crusades ” against birds are 
everywhere preached ; iron fences are multiplied ; hedges are 
stubbed up ; thatched roofs are no longer constructed ; in con- 
sequence, nesting opportunities grow less and less, and where is 
the wonder the most desirable birds frequently disappear ? ^ 
My reference in The Times letter to scientific societies in 
county towms is amply justified in the evidence, notably in 
regard to the Nottingham Naturalists’ Club.® But when I 
WTote to The Times I had in view especially my much regarded 
and good old friends at Thirsk ; they have already produced a 
famous botanist. I cull the following paragraph from the 
Yorkshire Herald of the 14th of last month in reference to a 
meeting of the Thirsk Naturalists’ Club : — 
“ In the absence, through indisposition, of the Vertebrate Secretary, Mr. 
Foggitt ® also showed a specimen of the lesser kestrel, which had recently been 
> 65 . 2 729 . ’ 3069 . 
3060 . ‘ 910 . « 914 . 
’ 3091 . « 2046 - 1683 . 
? I am suye he ^id not inhospitably compass this rare bird’s death, 
