108 Bulletin Wisconsin Natural History Society [Vol. 11, No. 4 
birds’ worst enemies, as it catches on the average fifty birds a year. We 
need bird sanctuaries about the cities. Now is the time to set aside good 
marsh and water havens, before all the marsh and swamp lands are drained. 
Individual work: The amount of damage done to fruit trees by birds 
is more than compensated by the number of insects eaten. Orchardists 
should plant wild fruits that mature at the same time, or a few days earlier 
than the cultivated fruits; e.g., plant mulberries and wild cherries in the 
vicinity of the cultivated cherry trees, for the benefit of the robins. The 
feeding of birds in winter is not always to be favored; the birds, under such 
conditions, are not so likely to forage for insect food. More bird boxes 
should be supplied for nesting. Perhaps the making of these boxes could 
be made a part of the manual training work in the schools. 
Mr. Burrill described the foods and the feeding habits of a number of 
birds, and suggested means of encouraging the nesting of each species about 
dwellings. The bob-white is very valuable to the farmer; it should be re- 
moved from the list of game birds and be put in the list of protected birds. 
At the conclusion of the lecture, Professor Mitchell remarked that he was, 
to some extent, the friend of the sap-sucker, because it is possible that this 
bird causes the variety of maple wood known as “ bird’s-eye.” He said 
that the increase of the number of bird boxes about dwellings was good, 
provided that the boxes be watched closely, to prevent attacks and occu- 
pation by English sparrows. 
Mr. Russel spoke on the enforcement of game laws. He emphasized the 
need of such organizations as the Wisconsin Fish and Game Protective and 
Propagation League, and commended, in this connection, the work of Mr. 
Burrill. 
On motion, a vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Burrill for his most 
interesting and timely lecture. 
Mr. Ward remarked on the McLean bill for the protection of migratory 
birds, and spoke of a new clause that has been inserted in the present 
tariff bill. This clause was recommended by the New York Zoological 
Society, and reads as follows: “Provided, that the importation of aigrettes, 
egret plumes or ‘osprey’ plumes, and the feathers, quills, heads, wings, tails, 
skins or parts of skins, of wild birds, either raw or manufactured, and not 
for scientific or educational purposes, is hereby prohibited; but this pro- 
vision shall not apply to the feathers or plumes of ostriches, or to the 
feathers of domestic fowls of any kind.” 
On motion of Mr. Ward, the secretary was instructed to inform the 
Wisconsin congressmen that the society strongly endorses this provision, 
and wishes its retention in the tariff bill. 
Professor Mitchell emphasized the need of better federal inspection laws 
for the control of insect pests. 
The meeting then adjourned. 
