RATIONAL BIRD PROTECTION.
Only a savage, or an ignorant man, can harm or wish to get rid of a bird
before he has convinced himself that it is harmful. I have said already
that in the abstract there are no useful and harmful birds, as such. The
bird exists as a product of Nature, to fulfil, like everything else, the
tasks allotted to it by Nature and in Nature, which no other creature
can perform.
It is man who makes the bird useful or hurtful to himself, when he tears
up the turf, and sows such seed as brings rich crops which serve the
bird for food; or when he plants an orchard or vineyard, where there was
none before. Therefore, for the good of the birds--and also of man--we
must carefully reflect what it is our duty to do and how we can best do
it.
The Tits, Hedge Sparrows, Flycatchers and others whose industry know no
rest, do invaluable service to a sensible man; for while the most
observant and diligent gardener can only destroy those caterpillars’
nests which meet his eye wholesale, these useful birds, hopping about,
darting and leaping, hanging and pecking, devour all the mischievous
pests, even when they are quite out of reach of man, and certainly out
of his sight.
These services can even be estimated to a certain extent.
The tiny Wren consumes in one year more than three million insects in
different forms, either as eggs, chrysalis or perfect insects, which,
if they were allowed to propagate would result in countless numbers.
The Blue Tit, not much larger, destroys six and a half million insects
in one year. If it bring up a family of 12 to 16 young ones, it means
that one family of Tits puts about twenty-four million destructive
insects out of the power of doing harm. Whoever, therefore, either from
cruelty or ignorance, catches or kills these useful little birds does a
great injury to the common weal.
[Illustration: THE RAIDING HAWK.]
The insect world has great power everywhere, and where birds and other
insect-eating creatures are destroyed through ignorance there follows
the destruction resulting from the ascendancy of these pests which
appear, not in tens of thousands, but in millions. Twenty-one years ago
any person who had ventured on such an assertion would have been laughed
at, but it is now a well-known fact that some of the most renowned
vineyards have been entirely ruined by the Phylloxera, an insect which
can scarcely be seen by the naked eye.
In former times, when a great deal of uncultivated land covered the
plain, in its natural state, the air rang with the song of birds. Woods,
meadows, thickets and pools were thronged with the feathered songsters.
In the course of time, however, things have greatly changed; in many
districts the woods are thinned or grubbed up, the plough has torn up
the meadows; every little scrap of thicket has been hewn down; whole
forests are being cut down by degrees to supply the paper mills; and so
the birds are losing their nesting places, and death and destruction
lurk in waiting for them on their migrations. Devastating storms which
overtake the immigrant flocks often destroy the feathered wanderers in
great numbers. This, however, is the course of Nature, against which we
are impotent.
After all the birds’ worst enemy is man, with his ignorance, or, still
worse, his cupidity. He has plundered the nest and destroyed the brood;
he grudges every grain of corn which the bird has richly deserved by its
work throughout the year.
Steamers and railroads make it possible for birds, which are caught by
millions, to be sent alive into the great cities as delicacies of the
table. So, from year to year, they are becoming rarer.
So much the more are we bound,--for the good of heart and soul, as well
as for the blessing of the land and its workers--to protect the useful
birds as much as we conscientiously can so that they may increase in
numbers.
Once, while on a journey to the Northern Ocean, I travelled the whole
length of Denmark. Moor, bog and sandhills cover great stretches of
land. Coarse heath grows over the sandhills. Poverty-stricken huts are
scattered here and there in these districts, the tenants of which live
by turf cutting. There is neither wood nor coal, so that the dried bog
furnishes the sole fuel. A small spotted cow is usually seen tethered
with a long rope near the cottage. This animal provides milk for the
household. In front of the dwelling, at a distance of about fifteen
paces, a pole, from 13 to 20 feet in height, is set up, at the top of
which is fastened a nest-box for birds, and this is usually inhabited by
Starlings.
[Illustration]
It was a pleasant sight, towards evening, that of the weary turf-cutter,
sitting on the little bench before his cottage, smoking his pipe,
bending down to talk to his child, and then, with heartfelt pleasure,
setting himself to watch the pair of Starlings chattering on the
nest-box, and enjoying life generally. In many districts nest-boxes are
fixed on fruit trees in gardens and in every other suitable place, and
in these dwell all the best and most industrious workers--Tits,
Flycatchers, Redstarts and others.
There is a proverb which may be translated as follows: “Take nest and
eggs from brooding bird--no fruit is found, no song is heard.” Also in
the Bible we read: “If a bird’s nest chance to be before thee in the
way, in any tree or on the ground, whether they be young ones or eggs,
and the dam sitting upon the young or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take
the dam with the young.”
We must guard the nests from evilly disposed men and from roving
predatory animals as much as lies in our power. But the real problem is
this: The landowner uproots bushes, fells old trees, prevents the nest
building of our most useful birds and cannot give back to them what they
have lost. He prevents the possibility of their collecting again and
increasing, and consequently from performing their useful duties, which
are continually increasing. Where, however, bushes and trees have been
rooted up, new ones may be planted, and the birds encouraged to return,
although we cannot replace them at once--for hundreds of years may pass
before the trees grow tall enough, and we cannot wait so long. Then we
try to do by artificial means what we cannot do by nature; and we must
be careful to study nature in our operations or we shall not succeed.
The Woodpecker, which lives in hollow trees, shows us how to build an
artificial nest.
Table V., Fig. 1, gives a section of the nesting-hole of a Woodpecker
built by himself.
Fig. 2 is a perfectly designed nest for Titmice.
Fig. 3 shows the same nesting-box complete, provided with entrance hole
and cover.
Fig. 4 shows an open nest-box for Flycatchers and a black Redstart.
The most important is that shown in 2 and 3 as it is specially arranged
to suit Titmice.
[Illustration]
Nest-boxes, and especially their holes, should, of course, be of
different sizes, according to the birds that are to inhabit them. The
opening is always round, and is of varying size according to the
species. Many directions as to these are given in a paper by Baron von
Berlepsch, “On the Protection of Birds Generally,” published by the
German Association for the Protection of the Bird World, and also by
publications of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Hanover
Square, London.
[Illustration: Nesting Boxes on Poles.]
The following are some approximate measurements for nest-boxes:--
height, 11½ inches;
depth from back to front, 4½ inches;
diameter of round opening, 1¼ inches.
For birds of the size of a Starling:
For Titmice:
height, 18½ inches;
depth back to front, 9 inches;
diameter of opening, 1¾ inches.
For Green Woodpeckers:
height, 19¾ inches;
depth back to front, 9 inches;
diameter of opening, 2⅜ inches.
The measurements for the Wild Pigeon are the same as these last, except
for the opening, which should be about 4½ inches wide.
Flycatchers and Wagtails require a box as shown in Fig. 4. This is 9
inches high, and has an opening about 4 inches square.
The edge of the entrance to a nesting-box should be rounded off, as in
the hole of a tree, to make it more natural to the bird’s feet.
* * * * *
The nesting-boxes should be fixed in orchards, gardens, and houses on
the edge of a forest, on the trunks of trees and branches, also on
poles, and fastened by means of strong flexible wire, or, still better,
by screw-nails. They should be placed perpendicularly, slightly inclined
or crooked, but never inclined backwards as the rain gets in and the
Titmouse has sense enough to avoid such a nesting-box. They should be
fixed a little lower than the average height of a man, and so arranged
that the morning sun strikes the entrance hole if possible. The box is
an exact copy of the nest-hole of the small spotted Woodpecker, and
experience teaches us that the unoccupied nest-holes are frequently used
by the Titmouse. In spring the Titmice not only fight among themselves
for the possession of these nest-holes, but also with the hosts of House
Sparrows which strive to rob them of the holes. These Sparrows come in
crowds and make a great noise in the place. Being of a powerful build,
and provided with sharp beaks, the birds finally oust the Titmice. To
contravene the House Sparrow we must hang the nest-box somewhat low,
about one yard from the ground. The careful and suspicious bird dares
not trust himself in it. The Tree Sparrow, which does not come too near
the haunts of man, but hovers on the fringe of the villages or street
gardens, bushes and heaths, is a trusting bird, and not very heavy. It
likes nest-holes immensely, and attacks those which are placed low,
driving the Titmouse out. The Hedge Sparrow, again, lives on insects,
but he is not clean, and is no friend of the garden; therefore, when we
find him fighting with the Titmouse for possession of the nest-holes, we
help to oust the Hedge Sparrow in the interests of the garden and the
wood.
[Illustration: SPARROWS HAVE OUSTED THE TITMOUSE.]
The following birds must be protected at nesting-time: The Great
Titmouse, the Blue Titmouse, the Coal
[Illustration: A PLEASANT MEAL ON THE SEEDS OF THE SUNFLOWER: THORNS
BELOW TO KEEP THE CAT AWAY.]
Titmouse, the Marsh Titmouse, and Crested Titmouse, because all these
birds are likely nesting-box dwellers. The method organised by Baron von
Berlepsch, and used in Hungary by Minister Darányi, with slight
alterations, is intended to bring the vanishing singing birds back
again. By the use of different sized nest-boxes it is possible to
collect different kinds of birds. I know by experience that by arranging
the bushes in close, twisted branches we can get the useful and singing
Whitethroats to build their nests.
* * * * *
The importance of a rational study of this question of the protection of
birds, with particular regard to their economic significance in given
districts, has been demonstrated in Southern Victoria in a remarkable
manner, where great mistakes have been made by settlers who seem to have
been desirous of encouraging our own British birds about their
homesteads. To take steps which resulted in the nesting of a colony of
Fieldfares in a district where they had so far been unknown to breed, as
Baron von Berlepsch did, was most advantageous, since the Fieldfares
drove the murderous Shrike from the field. Again, by fixing up
artificial nesting-boxes, made according to this great naturalist’s
pattern--on stakes placed in certain districts of North Germany, ninety
per cent. of these became inhabited by Titmice, until that time
strangers to the region, where, however, their services were most
desirable.
On the other hand, Greenfinches, which were introduced into Southern
Victoria by Australian settlers twenty-five years ago, took possession
of the pine trees, which were the only trees that afforded enough shade
and cover, and were the nearest approach there to their usual
[Illustration: A FEEDING-PLACE FOR WET WEATHER.
As a rule only feed the birds when weather reasons prevent them
procuring their own food.]
nesting-places; and they drove away from the district the useful little
native Tits, which feed among these trees and have their own appointed
work on them. A correspondent of a Geelong paper writes again of the
charming sight of a number of English Blackbirds hopping about on a lawn
beneath the spraying water-hose, and busily feeding on the worms. Yet
this same bird is becoming a great nuisance to the fruit growers there.
This is also the case in New Zealand, where large prices are now being
offered for dead Blackbirds and their eggs. The Starling, again, which
is so useful in our own pasture lands, has been known to clear out a
vineyard in Southern Victoria in a single night. Thrushes are looked
upon there as suspects, but opinions are divided as to this bird.
We have already written about the Quails, imported into the canefields
of Hawaii, to be in their turn exterminated by the mongoose, who had
been brought there to eat up the devastating rats.
To sum up the whole matter, interference with the balance of Nature must
only be undertaken with knowledge and discretion; and those who
undertake it must study, and profit by the recorded experiences of our
accredited guides in this direction.
IN CONCLUSION.
The scope and limits of the present work does not allow of the inclusion
of some of the chapters contained in the latest Hungarian edition, such
as those treating of the skeleton, the viscera, etc., nor can this be
taken as adequately representing the work of the Royal Hungarian Central
Bureau of Ornithology of which Mr. Herman is the Director. That work is
arranged on a regular scientific basis, and it includes that important
investigation with regard to the food of birds, which is carried on by a
fully qualified entomologist. The Bureau has its collection, which
contains dried ingluvies, _i.e._, contents of the stomachs of nearly
9,000 different species of birds; skeletons, skins, eggs, nests and
insects.
The Bureau has its meteorologist, its biologist, 267 corresponding
professional ornithologists, and as many as 326 foresters contributing
the results of their observations and experiences, besides a large
number of foreign correspondents. There is a huge collection of data for
the members of the regular staff to work from. These are written on
separate slips, on each of which is the name of the collector, his point
of observation, the character of the district in which this is carried
on, the scientific name of the species, and the date of observation. The
migration of birds is also made the subject of systematic observation.
An important publication, “Aquila,” serve well in keeping together these
different workers in connection with the Central Bureau, and the whole
expenditure of this office, including the publication of the journal is
now included in the Budget of the State.
* * * * *
In order to prevent the abuses which might arise from a general
invitation to send in specimens of the different species of birds for
examination, the Hungarian Minister of Agriculture has issued various
decrees which are enforced by law, the non-observance of which is
punishable by fines. The taking alive or killing of protected species is
allowed only for scientific purposes, and with permission obtained from
the authorities, and any person found employed in this work must be
able, on demand, to produce an order in writing from some Hungarian
scientific institute, some expert, or known person who can prove that he
is engaged in Natural History research. This license is drawn up
according to a form legally provided. Another safeguard, provided by M.
Darányi against the abuse of such permission, is that the authorities
may only allow a license to the same individual for the capture of not
more than 10 animals, or the taking of not more than 10 birds, nests, or
eggs; and this maximum is only to be permitted in cases where there is
no danger of the extinction of the species.
It may be added that, by a decree of the Minister of Agriculture,
protection is afforded to Bats of all kinds, and at all times; to Moles,
except in flower and kitchen gardens and nurseries, where it is
permitted to destroy them; to all kinds of Shrew-mice, except the Water
Shrew, which is injurious to fishing interests; and to Hedgehogs.
Further, in view of the great amount of deforestation which is taking
place in Hungary, as in other countries, and the consequent destruction
of the natural nesting places of birds, the Government provides
artificial nesting-holes, and ensures the clipping of shrubs in a
suitable manner for the encouragement of desirable bird-residents. These
nesting-boxes are placed at a certain distance round the foresters’
houses and become the starting points for further extension. In these
places the birds are regularly fed when the winter is a severe one.
[Illustration: A Winter Food Shelter.]
Index.
Bearded Reedling, 203-204
Bills of Birds, 15-19
Bittern, 302-305
Blackbird, 245-249
Blackcap, 162-164
Blue-Tit, 209
Bullfinch, 270-273
Bunting:
“ Cirl, 278
“ Yellow, 277
“ Reed, 185
Buzzard, Common, 343-346
Chaffinch, 267-269
Coal-Tit, 216
Crossbill, 135-138
Crow, Carrion, 64-67
Crow, Hooded, 17, 57
Cuckoo, 142-145
Curlew, Common, 17, 287-290
Dabchick, 329
Dipper, 238-241
Doves:
“ Ring, 281-282
“ Turtle, 279-282
Ducks:
“ Wild or Mallard, 316-319
“ Pintailed, 320-322
“ Shoveler, 323-326
Duck-Hawk. See Harrier, Marsh
Eagle, Golden, 332-335
Falcon, Peregrine, 351
“ Red-footed, 340-342
Feathers, 22-23
Feeding of Birds, 378-380
Feet of Birds, 19
Fieldfares, 248
Flycatcher, Spotted, 189-192
“ Pied, 193-194
Goatsucker. See Nightjar
Goose, Bean, 313-315
Goldfinch, 273, 351
Goshawk, 351, 352
Grebe, Great-crested, 327-330
Greenfinch, 274
Gull, Blackheaded, 87-89
Harriers:
“ Hen, 365-368
“ Marsh, 362-364
Hawfinch, 17, 262-266
Herons:
“ Common, 17, 300-301
“ Night, 298-301
Hobby, 355, 358
Hoopoe, 146-148
Jackdaw, 72-77
Jay, 83-86
Kestrel, 358-361
Kingfisher, 235-237
Kite, 336-339
Lapwing, 283-286
Lark, 232
Magpie, 78-82
Mallard. See Duck, Wild
Martin:
“ House, 109-102
“ Sand, 113-116
Mavis. See Thrush
Mauvis. See Redwing
Merganser, 17
Merlin, 361
Moorhen, 307-309
Nesting-boxes, 373-379
Nettle-creeper. See Whitethroat
Nightingale, 165-167
Nightjar, 120-123
Nuthatch, 133-134
Oriole, 250-252
Owls:
“ Barn, 24-28
“ Brown or Tawny, 29-33
“ Little, 42-44
“ Long-eared, 34-37
“ Short-eared, 38-41
Oxeye. See Titmouse, Great
Partridge, 17
Peewit. See Lapwing
Pigeon, Wood, 281-282
Pipit, Tree, 173-175
Plover, Green. See Lapwing
Protection of Birds. 369-379
Quail, 90-93
Raven, 68-71
Redbreast, 253
Redshank, 291-294
Redstarts:
“ Common, 168-170
“ Black, 171-172
Redwing, 248
Reed Warbler, Great, 181-185
Ringdove. See Pigeon, Wood
Robin, 253-256
Rook, 45-56
Sandpiper, Green, 295-297
Screecher. See Swift
Shoveler, 323-326
Shrikes:
“ Great Grey, 149-151
“ Lesser Grey, 152-154
“ Red-backed, 155-158
Shuffle-wings. See Sparrow, Hedge
Siskin, 171, 351
Skylark, 232-234
Snake-bird. See Wryneck
Sparrow-Hawk, 347-350
Sparrows:
“ Hedge, 230-231
“ House, 224-227
“ Tree, 228-229
Starling, 94-98
“ Rose, 99-100
Stonechat, 200-202
Stormcock. See Thrush, Mistle
Swallow, 104-108
Swift, 116-119
Tern, 310-312
Thrush, 242-244
“ Mistle, 248
Titmouse:
“ Bearded, 203-204
“ Blue, 209-212
“ Coal, 216-218
“ Crested, 215-216
“ Great, 205-208
“ Long-tailed, 17, 219-223
“ Marsh, 217
Tree-Creeper, 131-133
Wagtails, 17
“ Blue-headed, 178
“ Pied, 180
“ White, 176-178
“ Yellow, 179
Water-hen, 307-309
Waxwing, 101-103
Wheatear, 194-199
Whitethroat, Lesser, 159-161
Willow Wren, 186-188
Wings of Birds, 19-21
Wind-hover. See Kestrel
Woodcock, 17
Woodpeckers, Green, 124-127
“ Greater Spotted, 128-130
“ Lesser Spotted, 127
Wren, 257-261
“ Gold-crested, 213-214
Writing Lark. See Bunting, Yellow
Wryneck, 139-141
Yaffil. See Woodpecker, Green
Yellow-Hammer, 275-278
Zizi. See Bunting, Cirl
* * * * *
JUST PUBLISHED.
Demy 8vo. 510 pp. 6s. net.
The Country
Month by Month
BY
J. A. OWEN
(_Collaborator in all the work signed “A Son of the
Marshes”_) and
PROF. G. S. BOULGER, F.L.S., F.G.S.
A New Edition. Complete in One Volume. With
Notes by the late
LORD LILFORD.
LONDON
DUCKWORTH & CO.,
3, HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN, W.C.
* * * * *
A FEW NOTICES OF THE BOOK.
“Well adapted to the purpose.”--_Times._
“Interesting and brightly written.”--_Nature._
“These are excellent.”--_Nature’s Notes._
“Never to our knowledge were facts from Natural History and that
terrible subject Modern Botany more skilfully deployed before the
reader’s mind.”--_Daily Chronicle._
“Contains more of the information we are likely to want under such
circumstances than any other periodical or book.”--_Land and Water._
“Full of observant sympathy and special knowledge.”--_Scotsman._
“It is altogether delightful reading.”--_School Board Chronicle._
“Charming gossips--reminding us of Gilbert White and Richard
Jefferies.”--_Christian World._
“Should delight the heart of the naturalist.”--_Glasgow Herald._
“Literary in style, accurate in statement ... we know none which so well
deserves credit for being ‘up-to-date.’”--_Selborne Society’s “Nature
Notes.”_
FOOTNOTES:
[1] See Beethoven’s song “The Call of the Quail.” One of Antoinette
Sterling’s favourites.
[2] Mr. Wells Bladen, of Stone, wrote an interesting brochure on this
subject.
[3] “Birds in their Seasons.”
[4] In “Home-Life of Marsh Birds,” Miss Emma Turner gives a most
interesting account of these lovely little birds, illustrated from her
own photographs.
[5] “A Son of the Marshes.”
[6] Noisy, coarse creatures.
[7] “A Son of the Marshes.”
[8] “A Son of the Marshes.”
Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:
particular sepcies=> particular species {pg 8}
their oppresive enemy=> their oppressive enemy {pg 28}
plunders and steal nests=> plunders and steals nests {pg 69}
and feeds its young=> and feeds it young {pg 91}
I was struck wtih=> I was struck with {pg 96}
it finds it diet=> it finds its diet {pg 131}
The clutch consits=> The clutch consists {pg 131}
enlivens the neighbourheed=> enlivens the neighbourhood {pg 153}
The German naturalist Linz=> The German naturalist Lenz {pg 157}
and it a joy=> and it is a joy {pg 169}
as would by comparison made=> as would by comparison make {pg 219}
clear and joyonus=> clear and joyous {pg 251}
in one of of our old hedgerows=> in one of our old hedgerows {pg 264}
The gooseberry blossoms was=> The gooseberry blossom was {pg 272}
superstitition has linked=> superstition has linked {pg 277}
wiremorms, click-beetles=> wireworms, click-beetles {pg 285}
a vistor only on its way=> a visitor only on its way {pg 287}
covers up the eggs is order=> covers up the eggs in order {pg 313}
Its aspect in cunning and cruel=> Its aspect is cunning and cruel {pg
351}