28 THE ®A U DUB OIN® BW) Ee tea 
Without the birds, the insects would quickly defeat man, unless billions 
more were spent for spray machines and materials, and even then the out- 
come would be doubtful, as Hudson Maxim so eloquently pictured. 
To preserve and protect the birds is to save the state millions of dollars 
annually. This is the most direct way of keeping insects in check. Many 
species of insects eat several times their own weight of plant life each day. 
They multiply rapidly. Insects, if left alone one summer, would, according 
to conservative estimates, consume over nine-tenths of all plant life pro- 
duced that summer. To control plant production, it is therefore quite neces- 
sary to maintain a balance of power between bird and insect life. 
Shall we not incorporate bird protection more completely and closely 
into our educational program? ‘This is a necessity, and those who support 
the Audubon Society are contributing toward a campaign. of education 
along this line. We should have a keener sense of responsibility and should 
put forth more efforts to make bird life comfortable. We should plant 
shrubbery, build bird boxes, and make a close study of just what we may 
do to insure safety during the breeding season, which should tend to increase 
the bird population of the state. 
Birds have a long list of natural enemies, and it is not much credit to 
man that he ranks as the greatest enemy of wild birds. Chester A. Reed 
gives bird enemies in the order of their importance as follows: 
(1) MAN; (2) The Elements; (3) Accidents; (4) Cats; (5) Other 
animals, birds and snakes. 
Man should not only be a friend of the birds, but should help to lessen 
the dangers that lurk along their pathway. Man should help to make bird 
life easier and more comfortable, as well as safer. Education and constant 
publicity will help to accomplish this end. 
| Photo by A. M. Bailey 
WHERE BUGS AND WORMS GO 
