Insect-Eating Birds. 
Tiie practical utility of our native birds as agents 
for the destruction ot' noxious insects can hardly be 
overestimated. l>y studying the habits of birds and 
insects, we may easily discover the important part 
which each pb.ys in the economy of nature; and his- 
Spafrow-bawk. Tiununculus tiparverius . (Raptures.) 
tory itself proves that any material interference with 
their relations to each other is sure to be followed by 
disastrous results. Hence the subject becomes of 
deepest importance, not alone to the agriculturist, but 
to every one who has either a business or patriotic 
interest in our country. Nature, if left to herself, 
establishes a wholesome balance amongst her crea¬ 
tures; that is, she produces no more of one species 
than shall be kept in check by another. If there is 
an insect which feeds upon a certain plant, there is 
also a bird which destroys the insect, and an animal 
which devours the bird; and so on up the scale, each 
curbing the undue increase of the next inferior crea¬ 
ture. It is when man interferes with the working of 
this law that results are sure to follow disastrous 
alike to his own food, health, and happiness, and that 
of the creatures around him. It is because lie has 
destroyed their natural enemies that insects have 
Hawk-owl. Surnia ulida. (Raptores.) 
become a pest; and they will cease to trouble him 
only in proportion as he shall restore the balance of 
which Nature shows the necessity. It is not that 
insects are to be destroyed or condemned as a 
class. Nothing is created except for the fulfilment 
of some good end ; and the value of insects is not in¬ 
ferior to that of any other class of animal life : none are 
without their legitimate uses ; and it is only when they 
are stimulated to excessive increase that they become 
troublesome. Before passing judgment upon them, 
we must remember that insects fabricate the beau¬ 
tiful coral which is so useful and valuable to man. 
Of similar origin, too, is silk, which, in its manu¬ 
facture, furnishes profitable employment to multitudes 
of men, women, and children, and brings in large 
revenues to the country. Insects we must thank for 
honey, — the sweetest of siveets. The air we breathe 
and the water we drink are kept pure and wholesome 
by the agency of myriads of little creatures which 
draw sustenance from the impurities of the elements. 
It is not, then, that insects are to be exterminated, 
even if it were possible, but only kept in check. 
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