File:Bulletin (Pennsylvania Game Commision), no. 7 (1911) (20474559376).jpg

Title: Bulletin (Pennsylvania Game Commision), no. 7
Identifier: bulletinpennsylv07penn (find matches)
Year: 1911 (1910s)
Authors: Pennsylvania Game Commission
Subjects: Game protection; Birds
Publisher: Harrisburg, Pa. : Pennsylvania Game commission
Contributing Library: Penn State University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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18 all predatory >i)ccics at once consists chicll)' of them, and at such times some birds, like the Crow, which do not ordinarily figure prominentlx in such matters also include mice in their diet. In a biological understanding of the regulation of field mice and similar pests, we should not forget, howexer, that snakes and certain carnivorous mammals also have a share. Hie foregoing discussion, as was staled at the outset, does not awanl our birds un(;ualified ))raise. In our remarks we have at- tem))ted to be fair to all wild-life. Such a conception of Xature is slowly dawning upon us. and anything we can do to aid in such an understanding of our wild creatures is worthwhile. We have learned that birds are a welcome part of the \ cry existence we are enjoying in the world : that they are constantly hel))ing us in our i)rol)lems of li\ ing. and th.it we therefore wish to ))rotect them. )\ra\ we not then deem it worthwhile to study the needs of l)irds that we may better know how to ))rotect and attract them? THE ENEMIES OF PENNSYLVANIA BIRD-LIFE If we are to understand birds and hel)) them we must accptaint ourselves with their ))roblem of existence. The foregoing discus- sion has stressed heavily the food-suj)ply oi birds, for finding of food is the )>rincii)al ))roblem in the life of all living creatures. Of but slightly lesser im))()rtance however, is the i)roblem of evading or overcoming enemies and every living thing is faced with this problem also. Disease of birds is sometimes serious; but our regulation of such disease is in the nature of the case almost inii)ossible. .\brupt changes of the weather such as freezes just after rains may cause great loss of bird-life, just as tornadoes, hail-storms, and hurricanes sometimes do; but these factors are larg^ely beyond our control. Forest fires are a terrific scourge, and every ))ossible means should be used to prevent them. Although we cannot regulate tempera- ture, we may save our bird-life from actual starvation at times V. hen ice or deep snow has covered their food-supply, or where for some reason or other their normal food is scarce. Predatory mammals including man. rapacious birds, and reptiles are the most serious direct enemies of bird-life. In regions where Wildcats. Raccoons, Foxes, Skunks. Weasels. Red Squirrels, Opos- sums, Rats, certain snakes and Snapping Turtles, some hawks and owls. Crows, and occasionally other carnivorous birds are abundant, any of these creatures may be a great menace. Often the ground-nest- ing birds are particularly preyed upon. If there is an over-abun- dance of these predatory animals a carefully managed campaig'n of reduction seems to be our only means of improving conditions. Care should be used, however, that blame be laid upon the proper i 19 animals, (ireat injustice may 1 e meted out to certain creatures un- less It is certain that these creatures are doing the damage: and too oUen a wholesale slaughter brings nothing but worse conditions m Its wake because the situation was not fully understood in the first place. FEATHERED ENEMIES OF BIRDS Not all birds of prey are enemies of birds. Among- the hawks the large (ioshawk. somewhat smaller Coo))er's ilawk and Duck Hawk, and the small Sharp-shinned Hawk and Pigeon 1 fawk are the principal enemies of birds. The (ioshawk is usuallv not com- mon, but if it does occur is a particular enemy of the KutTed (irouse. During some winters there is a southward movement of Goshawks which is a serious menace to Pennsylvania bird-life. The Duck
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riiotouniph by S. S. Pickoy. Loaiu-il thnmu'li fnnrtowy of tin' .\ii(Iiil)on .«uriiijim>n iucaii\ and are great destroyers of small birds. The .Mar^h Hawk, particularly dur- ing its nesting season, may be an enemy of swami)-lo\ing and INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE

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