SOME OHIO BIRDS 
35 
They were first seen in Wayne county, Ohio, at Wooster, the 
fall of 1876, by Dr. J. H. Todd, and since the fall of 1877 have been 
permanent residents. Few are found far from the habitations of 
man, but wherever they can live at his expense, whether it be in rural 
communities or in the streets of great cities, they are to be found in 
great abundance. Their bulky nests frequently obstruct water 
conductors, and they are noisy and filthy about dwellings. Our 
native birds are driven away because of persistent persecution by 
this species. Eggs and young are destroyed, and nesting sites 
appropriated. Much damage is done to field and garden crops. 
Its food is 98 percent vegetable, of which 74 percent is grain and 
24 percent weed seeds. The 2 percent animal matter taken, con¬ 
sists almost entirely of injurious insects. Considered as a grain 
destroyer, it is a serious pest, but as a destroyer of our native birds, 
it is even more harmful. Its extermination by man is beyond hope, 
but it can be held in check, to a degree, at least, by the breaking up 
of nests, and the destruction of eggs and young whenever opportunity 
offers. 
In rural districts, the persistent use of the shotgun will dis¬ 
courage this pest. Where the use of fire-arms is not advisable, box 
traps and poisoned grain are effective, but the greatest care should be 
exercised that useful species or poultry do not suffer.* 
CARDINAL, Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis (Linn.) 
The Cardinal, Grosbeak or Redbird, is one of our most common 
and widely distributed birds. Once rare and confined to the under¬ 
growth of woodland, it now frequents the shade trees of towns and 
cities, even nesting in the veranda vines or ornamental shrubbery of 
the home grounds. Its loud, but melodious whistle is one of the well 
known bird songs, and may be heard at any season of the year. At 
one time, it was the most popular species for caging, and further was 
so much sought for hat ornamentation that its extermination was 
threatened. The protection it has received at the hands of the law, 
within recent years, has resulted in its substantial increase. 
Vegetable food, the greater part of which is weed seeds, is eaten 
in excess of animal matter. Corn is eaten more than other grain, 
but this consists largely of waste kernels that would otherwise be 
lost, or at least serve a less useful purpose. The fruits eaten are 
wild forms, of no use to man. Bark beetles, stink bugs, grass¬ 
hoppers, crickets, caterpillars, saw-flies and ants are the most 
important injurious insects eaten. 
* For further information, see Farmers Bulletin No. 838, U. S. D. A., “How to Destroy English 
Sparrows.” 
