14 PH Ee rA- WD UB Ot Ne SB Aose eins 
alone are found in the world; about 1,200 different kinds are recorded 
from North America and of these approximately 350 occur in lowa,”— 
and about 400 in Illinois.—‘‘Not only is the number of species large, 
but also the number of individuals is considerable. Competent authori- 
ties estimate that there are in the United States 3,800,000,000 nesting 
birds of all kinds and that, in addition, 3,800,000,000 more birds pass 
through the United States in their migratory journey. Such an abun- 
dance ot an active, graceful, beautiful and interesting type of animal 
life, many forms of which are further attractive to us by reason of 
their vocal ability, can not be easily overlooked. 
“Moreover, birds offer unusual opportunities for cultivating the 
powers of observation as well as for purposes of study and recreation. 
In addition, they are desirable about our homes and on our farms for 
the economic benefits which they confer. They are man’s only natural 
allies in the continuous warfare which he must wage against injurious 
weeds, mammals, and, above all, insects. 
“The old idea that only three or four of our birds, the house wren, 
the bluebird, and the purple martin, commonly grouped as ‘house birds,’ 
could be induced to remain in the vicinity of human habitations has 
been dispelled. It has been shown that if suitable nesting and feeding 
conditions are offered, many other species will avail themselves of even 
the slightest encouragement. Some of these that can and should be 
induced to feed and nest about our homes are the following: kingbird, 
great crested flycatcher, phoebe, black-capped chickadee, tufted 
titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, song sparrow, chipping sparrow, 
cardinal, American goldfinch, Baltimore oriole, rose-breasted grosbeak, 
tree swallow, barn swallow, brown thrasher, catbird, robin, wood 
thrush, red-headed, downy and hairy woodpeckers, sparrow hawk and 
screech owl. 
“Besides these, fifteen or twenty other species can, without much 
effort, be induced to favor us with their presence for at least a greater 
share of the time than if no encouragement whatever were afforded 
them. 
“Actual counts of the breeding birds in definitely selected areas 
which represent as nearly as possible typical conditions have been 
made in various parts of the United States. Such bird censuses, as 
they are called, show that the average population is 2 birds per acre. 
“The United States Biological Survey, estimating the value of each 
bird in the land at 10 cents, maintains that ‘the birds of the United 
States prevent an increase in the annual damage done by insects of 
more than $400,000,000.’ This is a considerable item when it is recalled 
that forestry and agriculture alone suffer an annual loss through 
insect damage of one billion dollars. 
“Do not arrange the selected plants too formally or exactly; and 
do not clip or trim them too precisely. Strive to represent natural 
conditions and to eliminate artificial appearances; too often our 
arrangement is highly unreal, and the effort that has been made is 
altogether too apparent. You can not fool the birds! 
