Department of Orthnithology 
Under the Direction of the Committees on Bird Preservation and Propagation. 
National Association of Gardeners, L. H. Jensen, St. Louis, Mo., Chairman. 
American Association of Park Superintendents, Hermann Merkel, New York, Chairman. 
FRUIT-BEARING PLANTS FOR THE BIRDS 
AND ORNAMENTATION. 
L. P. Jensen, Missouri. 
A T this time of the year when our minds are en- 
7 -"*- gaged in the planning for the approaching spring 
planting, some attention should be given to arranging 
our plantations, that they will be an attraction to our 
native useful birds. 
Fortunately the planting of plants in groups and 
masses is becoming more general ; this gives the birds 
a splendid opportunity for shelter and nesting. The 
planting of various species of conifers is particularly 
to be recommended, to those who wish to attract a 
large number of birds ; but I wish particularly to call 
your attention to those plants which are valued, in 
ornamental planting, for their abundance of brightly 
colored fruits. 
These plants have not as yet received the attention, 
which they deserve, not only as subjects for ornamen- 
tal planting, but also for their value of attracting and 
retaining a large number of useful birds, who are eager 
to take advantage of this supply of food, particularly 
at times when other food materials are scarce. 
In places where an abundance of fruit of such plants 
are available, little damage will be done to the fruits 
of the gardens and orchards, by the birds. Such 
plants should, for this reason be planted to protect 
our domesticated fruits. 
The following list of fruit-bearing plants is by no 
means exhaustive, but it includes some of the most 
valuable for the purpose of attracting the birds, as 
well as the best for ornamental effect. As it is essen- 
tial that attention should be given to a succession 
of fruit throughout the year, the approximate time 
of the persistence of the fruit is given in the list, viz., 
July-Oct. indicates that fruit may generally be found 
from July to October, etc. The color mentioned, in 
all cases refers to the fruit. 
Trees and Shrubs. 
Amelanchier canadencis (Juneberry), and other species, 
brownish-black ; September-March. 
Berberis thunbergii ( Thunberg's barbery), scarlet; September- 
March. 
Berberis vulgaris (Common barberry), scarlet; September- 
February. 
Celtis occidentalis (llackberry), dark brown; all year. 
Crataegus (Hawthorns), all species, red and scarlet; October- 
March. 
Cornus species (Dogwood), red, black and white fruit; July- 
December. 
Daphne mezereum (Wild pepper), orange-red; June-August. 
Diospyrus virginiana (Persimmon), reddish-yellow; October- 
March. 
Eleagnus angustifolia (Oleaster), yellow, silvery dotted; Sep- 
tember-March. 
Ilex (Holly), all species, both evergreen and decidous, red; 
October-May. 
Juniperus (Cedar), all species, blue, all year. 
Ligustrum (Privet), all species, black; August-March. 
Liquidamber styracitlua (Sweet gum), reddish-green; Fall. 
Lonicera (Honeysuckle), all species, bush and climbing, red, 
yellow and orange ; July-January. 
Menispermum canadense (Moonseed). bluish black; June- 
October. 
Morus rubra and alba (Mulberries), reddish black; June-July. 
Myrica caroliniensis (Bayberry), grayish white: July-May. 
Nyssa sylvatica (Sour gum), black; August-November. 
Prunus pennsylvanica (Wild red cherry), scarlet; June- 
October. 
Prunus serotina (Wild black cherry), black; July-October. 
Prunus maritima (Beach plum), dark purple; August-March. 
Pyrus americana (American mountain ash), orange red; 
August- March. 
Pyrus aucuparia (European mountain ash), orange red; 
August-March. 
Pyrus norabunda (Flowering crab-apple), orange red; Sep- 
tember-April. 
Rhamnus cathartica (Buckthorn), black; August-April. 
Rhus, species of; red, brown and crimson; all year. 
Rosa rugosa (Roses), and native species, red, scarlet, orange;. 
May-March. 
Ribes (Gooseberries and currants), native species; red and 
black; June-September. 
Rubus (Blackberries, dewberries and raspberries), native spe- 
cies ; red and black ; June-September. 
Sambucus canadense (Common elder), black; July-September. 
Sambucus racemosa (Red-berried elder), red; June- August. 
Sassafras officinale (Sassafras), blue; August-October. 
Shepherdia argentia, silvery white; June-September. 
Symphorecarpus vulgaris (Indian currant), red; September- 
April. 
Symphorecarpus racemosa (Snowberry), white; September- 
April. 
Vaccinum, species, blue and red ; August-February. 
Viburnum (High-bush cranberry, wayfarers tree, Haws, etc.), 
all species ; black, red, crimson and blue ; July-March. 
Climbers. 
Ampelopsis quinquefolia and tricuspidata (Virginia creepers), 
blue; September-March. 
Celastrus scandens, orange; September-May. 
Smilax rotundifolia_ (Green briar), black; August-May. 
Vitis (Grapes), native species; bluish-black; August-May. 
Among the large number of herbs suitable for planting for the 
value of their fruit for bird food might be mentioned : 
Arisaema triphylla (Jack in the pulpit), scarlet; Summer. 
Aetata rubra, red; Summer. 
Acta?a albe (White baneberry), white; Summer. 
Belamcandra chinensis (Blackberry lily), glossy black; July- 
April. 
Calla palustris (Marsh calla), red; Summer. 
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the valley), scarlet; Summer. 
Fragaria americana (Wild strawberry), red; June-August. 
Phytolacca decandra. purple-black, August-March. 
Smilacina racemosa (Wild spikenard), scarlet; Summer. 
T 1 
HOUSTON'S (TEXAS) BIRD CAMPAIGN. 
'UK Houston Chronicle has inaugurated a campaign to 
arouse the interest of boys towards preserving the 
birds in the vicinity of Houston. Each day under the 
caption "Houston to Become the Song Bird City" 
it presents a practical article on bird protection, and 
in connection therewith offers prizes to the boy who 
would build the best bird house — the boy who would 
draw the best plans and specifications for a bird house 
— and to the boy who wottld write the best essay on> 
the birds of Houston. 
In one of its articles the Chronicle in urging the co- 
operation of the boys said : — 
Time and again hunters have been admonished that 
not only is it a crime against society to kill songbirds 
which fill the air with music, but it is a positive 
financial injury to farmers. Every bird killed by gun 
or slingshot means more insect pests. 
The boys of Houston are enlisting in a movement 
that means hours of pleasure, that teaches economy 
and that stands for justice and humanitarianism. No 
pleasure is so great, so sublime, as to hear the birds 
as they flutter about the windows and in the trees. 
Boys are true sportsmen, as a rule, and true sports- 
men do not kill birds that are beneficial. Slaughter- 
ing of birds by airgun and slingshot is being replaced 
by the building of bird houses that will save the birds. 
