Some Common Birds Useful to the Farmer (1915 edition)

This concise bulletin gathers the latest findings from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Biological Survey, offering practical insight into more than fifty bird species that farm families encounter each year. It explains how each bird’s diet—whether insects, seeds, or fruit—directly influences its impact on crops, orchards and garden weeds, and it highlights the essential role many birds play in naturally reducing pest populations. Detailed observations, often based on careful stomach examinations, dispel common myths about birds that are blamed for damaging harvests.

The guide is organized by familiar groups such as bluebirds, robins, sparrows and woodpeckers, giving clear summaries of habitat, feeding habits and seasonal behavior without overwhelming technical jargon. Readers learn why certain birds become seasonal nuisances when natural foods disappear, and how winter‑resident species help curb weed seed spread. It serves as an accessible reference for anyone looking to understand, attract, or manage the feathered neighbors that share the farm landscape.