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There are about thirteen thousand known species of birds in the world and their total numbers run into unâ€" told billions. Each bird manages to exist by a specialized form of life, adapting itself to climatic conditions, food supplies and other external phenomena. A bird lives fast. By that I mean the body temperature, body heat and way of life are extra- ordinarily speeded up. In flight a bird uses tremendous quantities of energy and as a result of its rapid metabolism it must consume rela- tively enormous quantities of food. Obviously with birds as common as they are they must exert a very imâ€" portant influence on man, through agriculture particularly. The vast number of insect eating birds for in- stance are estimated to save the United States about $700,000,000 an- nually, the seed eating birds destroy uncountable tons of weed seeds each year. And at the same time certain vhawk-s are preying on poultry, game and fur-bearing animals, blackbirds and robins are causing heavy damâ€" age to fruit growers in the south- ern States. I The job of weighing the value of birds is an immense one. A job that depends on so many factors as to become almost impossible. Yet due to the efforts of omithologists, the Royal Victoria Museum and the US. Biological Survey in particular, sum- maries of bird importance are now available. By the new method of‘, stomach analysis the actual feeding. habits of birds in various localitiesl at different sea-sons can at last be determined accurately, and the scale I of bird values drawn up in under- standable form. The important thing fer the farmâ€" er is to be able to grasp the rela- tion of birds as a whole, to his wel- fare, and not the unusual actions of, a few birds such as the odd hawk who takes a chicken. He should be able to weigh the consequences of killing the hawk and decide defin- itely whether he gains or loses by his action. To take an- example, supâ€" pose a red-tailed hawk kills a hen during the winter when food is scarce and the farmer who owned the chicken promptly shoots all the hawks in his property. During the period of one year it has been deter- mined by examining the stomachs of over 700 red-tailed hawks that one of these birds would destroy upwards to 1460 mice, each mouse having a potential appetite of 2 lbs. of grain, taken in the stook, or by killing green crops. This places the poss- Helen Simpson Lynett J. F. Lynett ORDER HELEN SIMPSON FLOWERS For All Occasions Phone orders delivered any- where in North Yonge St. District THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29th, 1940. WHEN YOU TRAVEL $4; Maia/L C’aac/L lDW ROUND TRIP FARES between TORONTO and BUFFALO . . . . . S 5.05 OTTAWA . . . . . . $ 9.45 MONTREAL $12.00 2518 YONGE STREET (At St. Clements) MOhawk 3000 A. G. DONNELLY Telephone 177 l \OF” R\N X G») c \AO ~( 1 0 E IP‘A .(_ “0‘4 .nfle 9’49} BIRDS AND MAN (By F arley Mowat) ible value of the hawk at, nearly 3000 pounds of grain. Naturally this fig- ure is not to be taken as meaning that every hawk on your property will save you 3000 pounds of grain, but it does mean» that the hawk, killed because it destroyed one or more chickens, had a potential value of over a ton of valuable crops. This value is not obvious, the farmer would not notice one way or the other the hawks absence, but [he does not- ice the action of the hawk againstl his poultry and deals with it with- out paying the slightest bit of atten- tion to the other side of the story. It is this, state of affairs, notice of the obvious and ignorance of the hidden conditions, that leads to dis- aster, a disaster such as occurred in Scotland in 1888-92, when parts of Roxboroughshire, Selkirk, Peeples, Lanark ‘and Dumfries were overrun with a plague of field mice that de- stroyed practically every living thing. To ascertain the cause of the outâ€" break and to find a remedy a ROyal Commission was appointed and their findings were briefly this: 1. That the effect of the outbreak was to destroy all crops. 2. That the cause of the increase was due to the almost complete de- struction of all hawks and owls in the counties by over zealous game wardens and land owners. Comment on this incident is not needed. However those complacent people who say to themselves that it couldn't happen here would do well to consider that even a slight decrease in the number of hawks means a corresponding increase in destructive rodents and loss of grain. This mention of the redâ€"tailed hawk is of course very limited to the action of one species. Hawks and Owls taken as a whole have cer- tain harmful tendencies. Of the eleven hawks and five owls that are found: commonly in Ontario, two hawks- and one owl are definitely detrimental and could .be reduced in numbers with no loss to agriculture. However even these hawks have a place in the balance of nature amh should they be destroyed we would suffer indirectly. In dealing specifically with hawks :and owls I have merely used them as an illustration of the unseen value, or harm carried on by all birds. Be- cause of popular interest in the birds of prey they make a good example but it should be remembered that all birds fill a place that is just as es- sential, and should be understood just as completely. For the information of people inâ€" terested in the economics of hawks and owls particularly I have listed the species of hawks and owls that may be encountered and the principle food items of each. If hawks are bothersome to one individual farmer he should take pains to identify the hawk before killing it. Under no conditions should the big, round winged, soaring hawks ever be kill- ed, they are the world’s best mousâ€" ers Sharp-shinned Hawk and Coopers Hawksâ€"Both rather small hawks. commonly called ‘Blue Darters" feed- ing- largely on small birds. insects and mice. These two hawks are of the same family and are not bene- ficial. Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk. Broad- winged Hawk. These are the buteos or soaring hawks and feed largely or completely on small mammals such as mice, insects and reptiles. Sparrow Hawk, Piegon Hawk, Duck Hawk. The sparrow hawk is almost completely an insect eater while the other two of this family, the falcons, eat an almost neutral diet consisting of birds and mice. Marsh Hawk. A resident of the swamps living largely on meadow mice. Screech Owl. Mice and insects predominate in this small owl’s food. Great Horned Owl. Rabbits, mice, poultry, game and larger game make this owl a potential danger if it gets the habit of chicken eating. Barred Owl. An owl with no ‘eaa‘ feathers’ living largely 0n small rodents. Long and Short-eamed Owls. Two of the country’s most potent mous- ers. The Short-eared hunts by day and the Long-eared by night. Their diets are almost completely compos- ed of mice. In a later article I shall attempt to deal with the economic relations of other birds such as crows, star lings and spamrovvs etc. But in this‘ article I hope I have Opened up a line of thought to farmers and poul-. trymen who are interested in their own welfare. Local Notes: John Curzon reports Bohemian Waxwings; Harris Hord- reports a flock of spring crows on Feb. 14; From Windsor comes a re- port that «spring migration has al- ready started. Everyone invited to the Red Cross Leap Year Dance Friday night. ‘Miss visited Follett Rev. W. Spurgeon Butt of Tottenâ€" ham was a visitor in Town Wednes- day and visited at the United Church Parsonage. Mrs. A. L. Phipps is representing Richmond Hill Horticultural Society atthe Ontafio Convenfionin Toronto today. Richmond Lodge A.F. & A.M. anâ€" nual “At Home” will be held next Wednesday evening. Guests will be received by Mr. Carl Swanson, Rulâ€" ing Master, and Mrs. Swanson. Rich’mond Hill Agricultural Society annual banquet is being held tonight. Prominent members of the Eglinton Hunt Club will Ibe among the guests. The regular meeting of St. Mary‘s W.A. will be held at the home of Mrs. R. S. Mason, Yonge Street, on Tuesday next, March 5th at 2.45 p.m. Members are asked to kindly bring in their February contrbutions to the Cent-a-Meal Ffimd. Mrs. Jerry Smith, who is in the General Hospital, Toronto, following a fall on Friday of last week when she had the misfortune to break a bone in her albow, is progressing favorably. Her many friends in the district wish her a speedy recovery. Mr. RichardWEdmund‘s, director of the Richmond Hill Glee Club reports an encouraging response to his invi- tation to all interested in forming a Literary and- Dramatic branch of. the organization. Anyone interested in promoting such an activity are asked] to get in touch with Mr. Ed‘- munds at once. Mrs. Joseph Graham, Arnold St., celebrated her eighty-seventh birth- day on Sunday, February 25th. She received many friends throughout the day and was the recipient of flowers, gifts and cards. Mrs. Gra- ham is enjoying excellent health. The Lilberal joins with her many friends in extending congratulations and best wishes. RICHMOND HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Rev. J. D. Cunningham, B.D., Minister Sunday, March 3rd 11 a.m.â€"“Five Swords”. 2.30 p.m.~Sunday School. 7 p.m.â€"“Saving Lost Ideals". Every- man who goes on praying and loving is putting something into the current that will yet change the stream of history. Social and Personal RETURN RAIL BARGAIN FARES March lst -â€" To Timmins, Norâ€" anda, Kapuskasing and other points in the same district. March 1-2 â€"â€" To Capre( Homepayne, Geraldton points in the same district r‘1‘}Irz7177rch 1-2-3 â€" To Trenton, Belle- ville, Smith’s Falls. Particulars from agents. The foreman of a gang of railway men had more than his share of Irish wit. One day he was walking along his section of the line when he found one of his men fast asleep in the shade of a hedge. Eyeing the man with a smile, he said’: “Sflape on, ye idle spalpeen, slape on. So long as ye slape ye’ve got a job, but when ye wake up ye’re out of work." In All persons having claims against the estate of Flora Isabel McLean, late of the Village of Richmond Hill, in the County of York, Widow, de- ceased, who died on or about the 13th day of November, 1939, are hereby notified to send in to the undersigned Personal Representa- tives of the said deceased on or be- fore the 9th day of March, 1940, full particulars of their claims. Im- mediately after the said date the said Personal Representatives will distribute the assets of the said de- ceased having regard only to claims of which they shall then have notice to the exclusion of all others, and they will not be liable to any per- son of whose claim they shall not then have notice for the assets so distributed or any part thereof. Dated at Toronto this 12th day of February, 1940. James Duart McLean and Donald Badgerow Mulholland (Executors) c/o Fleming, Smoke & )Iulholland, 330 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario, Their solicitors herein. Notice to Creditors AND OTHERS the Estate of Flora Isabel McLean Elinor Archibald of Toronto her cousin, Miss Evelyn G. this week. To Capreol, Foleyet, eraldton and other THE LIBERAL. RICHMOND HILL, ONTARIO C.N.R. Ticket An interesting excerpt from Bulle- tin No. 6 issued by The Canadian Red Cross Society and. received by Richmond Hill Branch on February 24 is as follows: The National War Work Commit- tee are most desirous that all Bran- ches know of the gratitude and ap- preciation of the Committee for the magnificent quality and quantity of supplies that the Branches are pour- ing into the National Warehouseâ€" both Hospital Supplies and Knitting are of the most excellent workman- ship and a joy to handle. All will be glad to know that sup- plies are being packed and shipped daily overseas in large quantities, and that in England a Committee has been set up to distribute these art- icles so that over them and‘ on this side, the Army, Air Force and‘ Sea- men (both British and Canadian) are receiving- the woollens that yOu have made. During the month of February two shipments of knitted goods have been sent by the Richmond Hill Red Cross Society to the National Warehouse, consisting of ten Balaclava caps, 65 pairs: of socks, 26 pairs of wristlets, 16 scarfs, 9 pairs of halfâ€"mitts and .3 sweaters. The regular monthly business meet- ing of the Society will be held on Wednesday afternoon, March 6th at The Richmond Hill Red: Cross Soâ€" ciety has undertaken to help with a piece of ,special work â€" the making of the linings for the metal boxes in Wlhich surgical dressings will be sterilized for overseas use. This will he done on the Friday afternoons of March by the sewing committee, which committee will be given the exclusive use of the Work Room for that purpose. On this account, all other ladies who will sew for the Red Cross are asked to be present on Wednesday afternoons only, dur- ing- March. Red Cross Notes See you at the Red 01-055 Dance in the High School Auditorium on Friday evening, March lst. The regular March meeting of the Vaughan Township Council will be held in the Township Hall, Vellore MONDAY, MARCH 4th 11 AM. for the transaction of General Business Dated at Maple this 2gth day of February, 1940. Vaughan Council Save Money by Buying Your Summer Supply of Hall’s Service Station North Yonge St. Taking advantage of market conditions I was suc- cessful in purchasing a very large quantity of This enables me to offer a sensational saving to peo- ple of this district. While it lasts we offer this high grade oil at 800. per gallon. in lots of 5 gallons or over SINGLE GALLONS 90 Cents This oil is one of the best pgoggcts money can buy. .llllD U11 19 VII» ‘1‘. Univ "v..- t is refined by Tide WaterrbiilfiCompany,'makers of the famour Veedol Oil. We can supply it in any grade. Act now, as there is only a limited quantity at this price. TYCON MOTOR OIL EUCHRE Another Euchre will be held in the basement of St. Mary’s R. C. Church on Tuesday evening, March 5th. Good prizes. Everybody wel- come. RICHMOND Rector: Rev. W. F. 4 Markham before the price increase ST. MARY'S CHURCH (Anglican) ERNIE HALL, Prop. "I was just saying how forgetful husbands are . . . / .\‘L [ONG DISTANCE if) . . . and put me to shame!” A 300-mile station-to-station call K after 7 p.m. (and all day Sunday) ‘1 usually costs no more than a couple of movie tickets. With rates that low, a fellow can easily keep in touch with his family when he’s away from home. Why not call them up . . . tonight? 1880 ‘V '9’, 1940 ‘ (AN (3on HILL Wr'xon. L.Th Road L.Th. ’ 7 rumâ€"Vesper service. One but. Inspiring musical features at; an Lent 4 services led by Mr. A. Melecci, m his splendid choir. You and» family and friends will receive .0. 1 Ser- cordial welcome. forgive “Do this in- remembrance of Me.”: Opposite Orange Home RICHMOND HILL. UNITED CHURCH Rev. C. W. Follett, B.D. Pam Sunday March 31% 9‘45 a.m.â€"Sunda_v School. All Be- partments. “What’s the fundamental ‘fiffer- ence between a man and a woman?" “A man will pay $2 for a $1 art- icle he wants, while a woman will pay $1 fm' a $2 article she (Don’t want.” ‘a.m.â€"oCOmmunion service. Serum! sdbject, Thomasâ€"“The Print of file Nails”. Series on “The Associate- of Jesus.” PAGE FIVE