42 
BIRDS. 
—“ A long series of observations induces me to assert that with us 
they prefer insect-food, when it can be procured, but at the same time 
they like to vary their diet at every season with grain.” It is likewise 
mentioned in the same passage, “ Turnip-seed is chosen food.” Like¬ 
wise :—“ In August, just when the grain begins to ripen, they assemble 
in vast flocks, and, if not carefully watched, will soon commit sad 
havoc in fields of Wheat, Oats, and Barley ; indeed, the crops are 
never safe from their rapacity till carried into the yard.”—‘ British 
Birds and their Eggs,’ by H. L. Meyer, vol. iii., pp. 70, 71. 
I give the above quotations as being from standard works of 
authority taking a fair view without bias to either side of this difficult 
subject, for in the general remarks sent by amateurs, neither agricul¬ 
tural nor ornithological, on habits of single specimens, there is some¬ 
times reason to doubt whether the right bird was observed, and again 
the correctness of the observation has not been proved by examination 
of the crop. 
I can bear witness myself to seeing a piece of Wheat near Isle- 
worth so utterly ruined by legions of the Sparrows, which swarm 
amongst the neighbouring villas, that it was left uncut. 
As far as my own opinion goes with regard to this special bird, 
there is great occasion to check its increase round villages, large farms, 
and in various places where, in consequence of there being a good 
supply of food and shelter, it has become a downright pest, and needs 
serious attention. 
The general bearing of the question of bird-life on insect-life 
appears to be this : birds do a great deal of good by clearing off eggs, 
caterpillars, and insects ; some birds take one kind more than others. 
Pheasants are fond of Wireworm ; Titmice will clear some of the 
Gall-fly grubs out of the galls, and so on. If bird-presence teas 
diminished below the regular average we should suffer greatly. 
On the other hand, birds in their insect feeding destroy many of 
the kinds which are carnivorous, or which live as parasite grubs within 
crop insects, and in this way they do not help us, quite the contrary; 
and likewise, as very few birds are wholly insect-feeders, we have to 
consider what the rest of their diet is (as well as other practical bear¬ 
ings), and I believe that if the birds were allowed to increase above the 
regular average we should certainly suffer. 
It has been objected that the words “average amount” or “dis¬ 
turbing the natural balance” are vague, but I believe that all 
practical agriculturists know well what is the common amount of 
different kinds of birds ; and, as far as my own personal views go, I 
believe that it is very hazardous to disturb this (unless there are very 
peculiar circumstances to warrant it), either by broadcast destruction or 
by artificial measures of protection, such as putting up nesting boxes, 
&c., for insectivorous birds, as Starlings, Titmice, &c. 
