Oklahoma Arbor and Bird Day, Friday, March Twelfth, 1909/Part Two: Bird Day/Usefulness of Birds

USEFULNESS OF BIRDS.

Birds can be useful to us in many ways. They can carry the seeds of different plants from place to place so as to help start new groves, in which we may find shelter from the cold in winter and the heat in summer. They plant shrubs by the wayside that spring up and later bear good fruit. They also carry the eggs of fishes and small crustaceans among their feathers into new water, and feed upon the countless millions of weed seeds that are scattered over our fields. Some kinds live almost entirely on insects; while others hunt out and destroy such small animals as mice, ground squirrels, and gophers. Still other birds, like some of the useful insects, act as scavengers by helping to remove decaying things that would make us sick if not cleared away.

In addition to these direct benefits which are the gifts of birds, we are further indebted to them for the cheer which their gay music, bright plumage, and pleasant manners bring to us. The birds form a carefully planned army of police, which is engaged in keeping things balanced in nature.

But we can go even further when summing up the benefits that human beings may derive from birds. A great many kinds are excellent food, while others furnish soft feathers for pillows and warm coverlets on beds.—Bessey-Bruner-Swezey.