Vögel als Pflanzenschädlinge im Altertum

Abstract

Damages by birds in the antique

Damages by birds especially on young or on standing crops are known since the early antique. Cause of the damages were essentially the same species of birds which are also important ennemies of the farmer till to-day: daws, starlings, sparrows, throstles. From greater birds which could be dangerous mainly for the winter-corn are mentioned cranes and wild-geese. To prevent damages mostly the same simple methods were applied which play an important part not only till early modern times but also till to-day. Representations of damages by birds in a real sense are not present; at the most decorative paintings and sculptures permit some conclusions about observations in this direction.