BIRDS AS PROTECTORS OF ORCHARDS. 
By E. H. FORBUSH, ORNITHOLOGIST, MASSACHUSETTS STATE 
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 
While observing the food habits of birds during the last 
twenty years the writer has become convinced that they de- 
stroy enormous numbers of insects. This conviction gives 
rise to the question, To what extent are birds useful to man 
in this respect ? 
The present paper is merely a partial record of the results 
of an attempt to foster and protect birds in an old and neg- 
lected orchard, with a view to observing the effect of such 
a policy upon the trees. The orchard is so situated as to be 
a favorite haunt for birds. It forms part of an estate in 
Medford, Mass., lying near the southern border of the stretch 
of wooded rocky hills known as the ‘‘ Middlesex Fells,” a 
large part of which is now under the control of the Metro- 
politan Park Commission of Massachusetts, and is being ad- 
ministered as a forest reservation. The nearest estates on 
the east and west of the orchard are cultivated to some ex- 
tent. There are other orchards in the immediate vicinity, 
and many large and fine shade trees. There are also on the 
estate in question many varieties of trees and shrubs. There 
is a small piece of woodland, covering perhaps an acre and 
a half, in which yellow pine predominates, the other trees 
being principally ash, oak and maple, some hickory and a few 
white pines. A lane running along the southern border of 
the place is flanked on both sides with elms and poplars. 
A line of mulberry trees along the lane south of the orchard 
affords tempting food for such birds as are fond of fruit 
in its season. There are also many wild cherries, and berries 
of several varieties, together with half a dozen trees of cul- 
tivated cherries. 
