Language: Chinese
Published on: 1958-01
Hardcover
From an avifaunal survey of the Chang-le district of the Hopei Province, conducted from 1953 to 1956, mainly in the spring and summer, a total of 170 species and subspecies of birds has been recorde, belonging to 16 orders and 40 families
From field observation and examination of birds' stomachs, 53 species have been ascertained as being the more important insect-eating birds, belonging to 8 orders and 21 families, of which there are 30 migrants, 16 summer visitors and 7 residents. Among them, a number of residents are forms more commonly encountered in the region under consideration
The birds presented in the present report are found to be principally feeding on insects. In any of the species listed, its insect food constitutes more than 50% of the total amount of food taken, and even up to 100%. There are 37 different species of birds which feed entirely or almost entirely upon insects. Among them, the more common forms are Picus canus jessoensis among residents, Cuculus c. Canorus, Hirundo rustica gutturalis, H. daurica japonica, Dendronanthus indicus, Lanius cristatus lucionensis among summer visitors, and the various species of warblers and flycatchers among migrants.
Since most of the insects consumed are injurious forms , the birds consuming them are considered as being beneficial to the orchard. Among these insect-eating birds, there are forms which may bring about certain unfavorable effects in taking some agricultural products and a number of beneficial insects. But the benefits they bring in consuming harmful insects far surpass the little harms they cause. They, therefore, deserve our protection, particularly those forms which breed in this region, including residents and summer visitors.
The Great Tit , being the most common among residents in the orchard, are found to have eaten considerable amounts of certain fruit pests, such as Illiberis pruni, Car-[runi, Carposina sasakii, etc. especially during their breeding season. Measures should be adopted not only for protecting them as well as their broods but also for attracting them to places where they may be in need in compating against insect pests.
