Litchfield enquirer., 1851-05-29
EwThere are eighty-fve Divisions of
the Sons Of Temperance in this State.
For The Enquirer,
Birds and Insects, No. 2.

4AASSNS1S
Whether the world would be benefit
ted by the extinction of both birds and
insects, is merely theoretical, and there
fore, in the present case, an Improbable
question. But it may not, however, be
wholly Improbable 20 consider what good
they do.
1t is we'll known that some insects prey
upon others. Hence, in the present state
of things some insects do good, although
they may also do hurt. Some birds it is
said, follow civilization, so also do some
insects; while others multiply under its
influence. Whetherin the arrangements
of Providence, the birds follow to keep
down the insects, or the insects increase
to be food for the birds, it may not be
easy or necessary to determine but while
the existence of either class alone would
be curse, the existence of one renders
the existence of the other a blessing to
the world.
AS an illustration of the good done by
birds, l might quote numerous instances
where they have come to the help of
man, when his own efforts were wholly
unavailiug. Perhaps may do it at some
future time. AT present shall conine
myself to few general facts.
Every one knows how eagerly birds
destroy butterflies, moths, &c. which are
onl the transformation of one race Of
caterpillars, and the parents of succeed
ing race. The swallow, sever on the
wing" feeds on winged insects. The
crow and the blackbird, (poor prosecuted
wretches feed on grubs, bugs, mice,
carrion, &C., and doubtless feel Them
selves entitled to few hills of corn in re-
turn, and occasionally to an egg, or a
chicken, if it falls in their way. The ro>
bin examines your gardens OF cornfelds
before you are up in the morning, and
again in the evening for earthworms, cut
worms, &C., and takes few cherries when
ripe for pay. The yellow bird and all
the varieties of small birds survey orch
ards, nurseries, garden-shrubbery, &C.,
for the aphis, which often covers and not
unfrequently kills the leaves and tender
branches; and for otherinsects and worms
that feed upon the leaves and buds.
Sometimes they will light upon the end
of young branch. pick a little and then
fly away. Examination shows that they
have discovered and destroyed the nest
of an insect which had wrapped itself 70
among the tender leaves. In the proper
season they devour immense quantities of
seeds and thus hinder the spread of hurt
full and useless plants. The cedar or
cherry bird, examines your cherries for
the young grub that is enclosed within,
and if perchance he takes the wrong cher
ry is condemned for "wilfull murder"
But time would fail me to particularize.
The truth is, we look only at one side Of
the subject, and that the dark side. We
overlook the good and exaggerate the
evil. af'
Shall we then kill the birds? No, by
no means unless we first killthe insects,
But to kill these is hopeless task, even
with the aid Of the birds. How much
greater would be the difficulty without
their aid z F5
There Is no danger that the world
would become oserstoeked with birds,
Il mean of that class that follow in the
track Of civilization, or even al except
birds of preyl even though "guns and
traps were none," beasts Of prey would
still take their share; birds Of prey would
continue their inroads; and the elements
would then, as now, continue their wastes.
The same wisdom which has hitherto gov
erned the world would govern It still.
Then spare the birds. -
Supplement- close with few words