Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-05-20

said to be rather favorable to the striped
pig system, and that some farmers have
avalled themselves of this weakness of
their nature, and brought them into fear
iul decoy by soaking grains in the ar
dent and strewing them over their corn
fields
But with all his failings, the crow is
not so bad a bird as he might be, neither
is his heart so black as his plumaoe indi-
Gates but in various ways proves him
self an article of utility to the farmer, by
waging war upon the worms and manv
other evil doors of insect ROYALTY, which
would gladly defeat his labors. The
same may be said of other birds which
send forth their warbling notes to contrib
ute to our cheerfulness, when nature pu,s
on her rich attire. They may all of them
appear to US as rather mischieyous crea.
lures, when in fact they are our efficient
laborers, doing that for US in a short time
IN the destruction of our little insidiops
| enemies, which we might never accom-.
pllsh, or which if we did, it would be at
an expense of time and labor which mioht
be much more proftablv and apreea6Iv
devoted to other objects. Why should we
then complain if now and then a robin
light upon our cherry trees, and pluck a
portion OF their rich fruit, 10 satisfy he
longlngs OF lis own palate, when in fact
one may be indebted TO the same bird or
some of its family, for the fruit aoe gather
II nottrom the same tree, from some OH
er OF Pomona's bowers! The same
may be said of other birds most if not all
OF them are useful to the farmer and
would be found to be so if he would study
into their nature and habits. But we are
TOO apt TO be guided by first impressions.
and for the want Of this investigation, we
conclude II we see luckless bird lioht
upon grain field or fruit tree, at sea-
son when they may take from us mart
OF the spoil, that it is thief, and belongs
to race of bandits, and that we shouId
unhesltatlngly wage war upon the whole
posse. what an Inconsistency! Man
rebel against his laborers, when all The
remuneration they ask is part of their
ooard-now and then a meal of the fruits
they have so nobly and disinte, estedlv
aided him 10 raising! ALAS for the
weakness OF poor human nature when it
prompts US to rise in such fatal rehelI;ons
as the sacrifice of our friends-friends TOO
that teach us such powerful lessons of in.
dustry, economy, forbearance, constancv
and many other virtues, as the birds of
the air lnculcate. Let US study their hab-
lis more effectually, and we shall be en-
abied to appreciate their worth more fuI-
~, and shall learn from them manv more
lessons of practical utility than thew have
yet taught TO their most Jealous amateurs
and careful observers.
AitE all the powder and lead which
has been wasted in attempts to annihiIate
tne ieathered race, many of them YET pre-
Ter an abode where civilization shouM
reign, to the deep-tangled shades of the
forest. They still look up to man as their
protector, and would read in his vlsaoe
and conduct those Iineaments of friend
ship which he was designed to exhibit
And to the praise of our race be it said.
there are now many among US who con-
slder IT sacrllege 10 rob a BIRDS nest.
and an act OF violence and guilt to take the
life of its occupant; but on the contrary.
they anrlte them TO the groves and trees
near their dwellings, feed them with their
crumbs, and listen TO the sweet music of
their always accordant notes. Such kind
nesses lear bird be grateful q they duly
appreciate, by building their nests around
our dwellings, that they NAV aid rs bv
their services, in the destruction of annov-
Ing insects. But were their labors of no
pec~miary benefit, the sweet music Of their
anthems, swelling forth in strains which
know OF no dlscord, in whose notes the
outgoings OF the morning aud the evening
rejoice would be ample remuneration for
the few kernels of grain or little fruit thew
gather, and which we should ALWAYS al
low them to enjoy with the same FEELINGS
oil pleasure that we spread an entertain |
ment for friend that loves US. Surely
they would then teach US a lesson that |
nan, aspiring man, is slow to learn Of his |
fellow-a lesson of gratitude, of kindness.
as they now do OF !ong-suffering and for.
beaTance.
But ornithology is not a wild romantic
science. combining its subjects to trees and
groves and mountains and cIefs of the
rock. 1t brings within its embrace the
goose, of famed classic celebrity the tur-
Key, which In roguery and selfwill, ap-
proaches so near to the perfection of man
with sir chantcleer, the facetious beau
monde of the farm yard, and head of its
cackiing seraglio; with all the varieties
OF pIumed inhabitants which the poultry
yard, roost and mud pond boast. These
are animals of profit and taste worthy of
his cultivation, as he would have his ba-
con seasoned with eggs, or his table en-
rlched with choice luxuries. w. B.
Mount Osceola, March 2, 1910.