Birds are very destructive to corn, when in the milk state, 
and fields especially of early ripe, and situate near towns suffer 
severely. Had I such a field, I would set two school-children, 
the one from 4 a.m. till 12, and the other from 12 till 8 p.m., 
each having a crake to drive the birds away. If the children 
cost, say £1 for the fortnight, I should perhaps save from £5 
to -£10 of a crop, which, but for birds would be non-existent. 
In part justification of those who would exterminate birds it 
must be admitted that for perhaps six weeks in the year, crows, 
blackbirds, and sparrows are especially destructive, but if culti¬ 
vators would concentrate their efforts to <c keep them moving” 
at such times to other fields, then they would not be injurious 
and their services would so be secured for the longer period, the 
great value of which will only be known when thousands of 
grubs are allowed to breed and to devastate, through our 
ignorantly tampering with that necessary balance so wisely 
provided. 
As to the hard-billed tribe of birds which destroy the 
gardener’s seed beds, the gardener must protect his beds with 
nets, as these species live mostly on seed all the year round ; 
indeed we cannot but be witnesses to the vast swarms that 
feed on stubbles and fallows during the winter months without 
thinking that were it not for those birds eating myriads of the 
seeds of choking impoverishing weeds, our corn crops in thou¬ 
sands of cases would not be worth the gathering.—I am, &c., 
Joseph Witherspoon. 
To Mrs. E. Phillips, 
Vice-President of the Society for the Protection of Birds. 
Red Rose Vineries , Chester-le--Street, January , 1893. 
Dear Madam, —Since writing the above, with a further 
season for close observation, I again gladly avail myself of the 
opportunity of offering a few more remarks on the labours of 
my feathered favourites. Whilst many fruit-growers have been 
racking their brains to discover still more poisonous compounds 
for the destruction of the apple weevil and other insect pests, I 
have again found my birds quite equal to the occasion My 
apple crop, in fact, has been so well preserved that I do not 
remember to have met with even one fruit disfigured by insects. 
This too, after, by the aid of a microscope, discovering many 
more maggots than I expected to find. Sure enough the enemy 
was in possession and the battle was rather tough ; but, all in 
good time for the fruit crop, the brave birds brilliantly conquered. 
In connection with my occupation there are three things that 
I love to see, viz.,—crows following the plough, ducks (under 
two months old) in either vinery or orchard-house, and 
sparrows, especially during the blooming period, feasting and 
holding high converse in an apple tree. 
My advice to all is,—think long, think seriously, and search 
deeply before attempting to upset the laws of nature, or disturb 
the balance of forces established by the Great Designer and 
Maker of the Universe.—Very faithfully yours, 
Joseph Witherspoon. 
^octefi? for tfye protection of gSirdsL 
President — Her Grace the Duchess of Portland. 
Vice-President, 
and Hon. Se?. for Croydon Branch, 
Mrs. E. Phillips, 
11, Morland Road, Croydon. 
Hon. Treasurer, 
and Hon. Sec. for Bayswater Branch, 
Miss C. V. Hall, 
11, Morland Road, Croydon. 
Hon. Sec., Miss Hannah Poland, 29, Warwick Road, Maida Hill, W. 
RULES OF THE SOCIETY. 
1. —That Members shall discourage the wanton destruction of birds, and interest 
themselves generally in their protection. 
2. —That Lady Members shall refrain from wearing the feathers of any birds not 
killed for purposes of food, the ostrich only excepted. 
3. —That each Local Secretary shall subscribe One Shilling a year, and each 
ordinary Member pay twopence (postage free) for Card of Membership. 
Copies of Leaflet, 2d. per doz., or 1/3 per 100, and Cards of Membership can be obtained 
from the Ladies whose addresses are given above. 
