and homes of others, as does also the turning under of prairie grasses.  Then, too, many of the natural residents of primeval forests and virgin prairies shun the sight of man, hence they gradually withdraw from the region, and their influence for good or evil goes with them.  Since the majority of such forms are timid and inoffensive creatures, their withdrawal only adds that much more to the already overbalanced conditions.  Year by year the gap which at first was scarcely noticeable becomes widened, so that frequent inroads are made and harm results.  Instead of trying to ascertain the true cause for all this trouble perhaps exactly the wrong thing is done by the settlers.  This of course only has the effect of further widening the gap between safety and danger.  Since an insect or other animal becomes noticeably harmful only when present in alarming numbers, it stands to reason that anything which favors such an abnormal increase is a factor in disturbing nature and should be quickly rectified where possible.  In order that these disturbances should be looked after the all-wise God of the universe created birds and gave them the power of flight that they might the more readily move about rapidly from place to place, where their services might be needed in balancing affairs.  Hence birds have naturally and rightfully been called the “balancers” in nature.  This being true, let us see just what their relations are to agriculture.

The farmer sows in order that he may reap an increased measure of what he has sown.  In doing this he must first turn over the soil.  This destroys many existing plants as well as animals that depend upon them for food.  The plants thus turned down cannot regain their position and must of necessity die.  Not so with many of the animals, however, which soon work their way to the surface.  Some of these attack the growing plants which have been made to occupy the place of those destroyed by the plough.  Others take wing and seek suitable food in adjoining districts where they add to the numbers already drawing upon the vegetation up to the point of possible continued supply.  Here, then, the scales begin to vibrate.  In the field the new and tender crop entices the ever-shifting individuals of myriads of forms that have been crowded out elsewhere.  The result here too is, or would be, very disastrous were it not for the timely visit of flocks of birds likewise in search of food.

It is during the period of first settlement of a country, when the fields are small, few and widely separated, that injury may and frequently does result from birds.  It is then a problem that needs careful consideration, not only for the time being, but also for the future welfare of that country.  If animal life is destroyed indiscriminately and without intelligent forethought, calamities unforeseen are sure to follow in the not distant future.