OUR FRIENDS THE BIRDS
Ithas been positively proven that birds will return annually in greater numbers to localities where assistance, in the form of nesting boxes, has been rendered by those interested in bird welfare, than to those places where no such provision has been made.
A progressive study of our native birds by competent individuals, especially through the United States Department of Agriculture in its Farmers’ Bulletins, has shown very decisively that the return made by our feathered friends by ridding our gardens and orchards of destructive worms and insects, is many times as valuable as the small commission they collect by sampling a berry or two here and there.
Innumerable quantities of seeds of plants and weeds which would otherwise overun our gardens are eaten by the birds. This, together with the fact that these same birds with their brilliant plumage and beautiful songs, are a valuable asset to our neighborhood, ought certainly to impress us that they are deserving of our assistance and protection. Assistance is best afforded by preparing suitable houses and feeding shelves for them, and also by placing bits of string, horsehair, and other nesting material convenient for them. Protection is simple and may be limited to laws safeguarding birds from harm, to killing off as many as possible of the English sparrows, and to seeing that cats are not allowed any undue opportunity for harming them.
Fig. 1. Blue Bird Feeding Young.
Fig. 1. Blue Bird Feeding Young.
Fig. 1. Blue Bird Feeding Young.
The boy or girl who puts up boxes for the birds to nest in, supplies them with drinking and bathing places, and provides food for those species which remain in winter, is certain of an unfailing source of pleasure, which cannever be known to any one who pursues them with airgun and stones, or simply ignores their presence. The chances are that the bird-loving boy or girl will make the better citizen.