REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM. 
FOOD FOR BIRDS. 
[Taken from “Birds of New Jersey,” by consent of Chas. A. Shriner.] 
“The injury that birds do to crops and fruit is trivial compared 
to the vast benefits derived from their almost continual warfare 
against insects and larvae, but even this injury may Ire obviated in 
a great measure. As a rale birds prefer wild fruit and seeds to cul¬ 
tivated fruit and grain, and consequently those who desire to derive 
the greatest benefit from birds will do well to plant some wild fruit 
which will bear during the weeks the birds usually feed on the 
garden or orchard crops. In this connection Mr. Forbush says: 
“ ‘I wish particularly to note the fact that the mulberry trees, 
which ripen their berries in June, proved to be a protection to the 
cultivated cherries, as the fruit-eating birds seem to prefer them 
to the cultivated cherries, perhaps becaifse they ripen somewhat 
earlierand he adds, ‘I believe it would be wise for the farmer to 
plant rows of these trees near his orchard, and it is possible that 
the early Juneberry or shadberry might be also useful in this 
respect.’ ” 
Professor Beal suggests planting berry bushes along the roads 
and fences and between grain fields. 
To protect strawberries and cherries (May and June), plant 
Russian mulberry and Juneberry or shadberry. 
To protect raspberries and blackberries (July and August), 
plant mulberry, buckthorn, elder and chokeberry. 
To protect apples, peaches, grapes (September and October), 
plant chokeberries, elder, wild black cherry and Virginia creeper. 
To protect winter fruits, plant Virginia creeper, dogwood, 
mountain ash, bittersw T eet, vibemum, hackberry, bayberry and 
pokeberry. 
Birds that eat mulberries are the Flycatchers, Warblers, Vireos, 
Cuckoos, Blackbirds, Orioles, Finches, Sparrows, Tanagers, Wax- 
wings, Catbirds, Bluebirds and Thrushes. 
Birds that eat the potato beetle are the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, 
Cuckoo and Quail. 
Birds that eat the tent caterpillar (which does most harm to the 
apple and cherry trees) are the Crows, Chickadee, Oriole, Red- 
