CHAPTER IX.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The following birds must be protected at nesting-time: The Great Titmouse, the Blue Titmouse, the Coal

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

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.

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}