THE IMPORTANCE OF BIRDS, ETC. 251 
the over-growth of weeds. The farmer, who looks with 
a distrustful eye upon Woodpigeons, or, in the autumn, 
upon Buntings and Finches, when feeding in his fields, 
does them the greatest injustice. They more than 
counter-balance the little mischief they commit during 
the few days’ seed-time. All Pigeons nourish both them¬ 
selves and their young almost exclusively on the seeds of 
different weeds, namely, wild vetches, corn-flower, char¬ 
lock, millet-grass, and others equally abhorred by the 
farmer. These birds cleanse the fields from noxious 
plants, in the same manner as those mentioned in the 
preceding paragraph keep the land clear of destructive 
animals. 
It is not necessary to enumerate further examples to 
convince any reflecting individual that birds are indis¬ 
pensable directors of the balance of Nature ; we need not 
recal to mind the utility of the various reptile- and 
carrion-feeding birds of southern lands. Their whole 
lives are passed in heaping benefits upon us, and all the 
other higher orders of animated Nature; everywhere, 
and at all times, they appear to be employed in destroying 
what is hurtful, or in checking or removing its influence. 
They are the real guardians of order and the highest 
natural laws; they faithfully fulfil their most important 
duty. 
And how rarely is the work they accomplish recog¬ 
nized by man ! Only too often, unfortunately, he 
ruthlessly, and I may say criminally, seeks to disturb 
Nature’s equilibrium, which they are engaged in pre¬ 
serving. And what is the result ? Inevitable ruin! 
The “ Sparrow war,” which was carried on in Prussia 
by the Government of our great king, was fearfully 
revenged. It cost the State, in the space of two years, 
2 L 
