Vögel als Schädlingsvertilger im Altertum

Abstract

Pest feeding birds in the antique

The usefulness of certain species of birds in exterminating of vermins was known already in the antique. From birds looked useful were mentioned (whereby we are dependent partially on suppositions): owls, little owl, throstles, wood-pecker, hawk, ibis, stork and rock-partridge. A special part is attributed to the birds in fighting against the grass-hoppers; there is reported about the useful activity on this section by daws, rose-ousels, krestels, owls blue-rollers, crows and larks. Some of this birds are so much estimated, that they were protected by strong penalties. However for the “beginning of bird-protection” ther were decisive only selfish views in regard of men or magic ideas. Illustrations about birds with vermins especially with grass-hoppers are found sporadicly on coins, gems and mosaics. The pictured birds are owl, cook, throstle and on the mosaics here for the first time published: purple-hen, indian parrot and another bird perhaps Glareola pratincola.