Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-07-12

episode in the dry details of Legislative de-
bates; a sunny spot that the eye loves to
rest on amidst the strife and plottngs of po-
liiicol aspirants. We would trust these ad-
vocates of the birds, at least till they had
once deceived us:
The General Assembly on OrnithOlOgy.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, June 6, 1851.
Mr.. Spencer of Watertown, chairman of
the Committee on the Judiciary, brought up
the bill for an "act TO prevent the destruc-
ton Of certain small BIRDS" explaining brief.
ly its object, and its superiority over tho bill
passed last session, which il repealed.
Mr.. Andrews of New Britain, expressed
himself in appreciation of the humane pro-
visions of the BILL but proposed to amend by
inserting the word Woodpecker." The
chairman replied that this was already i'm the
bill but the punctuation was defective. II
should read, High Hole, Woodpecker, &C.,
and not high hole Uoodpecker.
Prof Andrews further advocated the claims
of the feathered tribe TO our admiration and
protection, and stated fact that came to his
observation in this wise While travelling
in the State of North Carolina he observed
large tracts of woodland covered with dead
trees, aud on enquiry was told by the farm
ers that, strange as it might appear, the trees
had been killed 10y the Uoodpecker, and un-
der this conviction they had been doing their
best to free the region of this destructive
bird. Further observation seemed to prove
thot the trees had been destroyed by innu-
morable worms that infested the bark ;thith-
or the Woodpecker resorted to feed indus
triously upon the worms, thus proving that
the doluded farmers had mistaken their best
friends for their foes, and so shot them down
without mercy.
MIR. Boardman approved the bill. lie en-
We'd not the man who WINS not disposed TO
admire and protect those beautiful works of
the Creator that everywhere address them
selves so eloquently TO the eye and heart of
man. lie considered the American people
sadly deficient in this sentiment. While the
people of all ranks in many countries in Eu-
rope take thoughtful care to protect those
beautiful creatures of nature and art which
are unguardedy exposed to their goze, he
was panied to the heart to know, and even
to have seen, distinguished and honorable
gentlemen, so called, barbarotlsly mutiatc
and destroy beautiful flowers aud tasteful
works of art, and that too in the public
BIouhuS NJ washington.
A law was enacted in Virginia offering q
bounty for the destruction of the "littlc
crows" that infested the corn. A war of ex-
termination followed, and the determination
OF the corn also; for in many district the ra-
wages OF the worms were such, after tho re-
moval of the crows, that the farmers would
gladly have paid back their money if they
could have established the dynasty of the
crows again.
MIR. Olney of Thompson, moved to amend
by erasing the word "King Bird" as he had
a bad reputation among the honey-bees.-
Others objected on the ground that this bird
was an enemy to the whole insect race, while
The virtuous honey-beo constituted but
noiety of his prey, and while ho has the re-
putation OF King, he showed his hatred of
1espotisni by pulling the hair of Hawks,
Crows, and other lawless desperadoes. So
the amendment was lost, and the King bird
elected.
MIR. Burr of Killingworth, moved to amend
by striking out the "Long-tailed Thrush"
adducing the general experience of farmers
that this was a mischievous fellow in the
corn field. To this there was n general
murmur Of disapprobation-several eXclaim-
ing, "Oh now do spare the Thrush"
Prof Andrews remarked that he had nev-
or heard this minstrel charged with such
crime before, and could not believe him
guilty.
MIR. Boardman insisted that this bird,
sweeter in its music than the nightingale,
even Si0edish one, should be spared, and if
they did even want few kernels of corn,
what of that-he would rather feed all the
Thrushes in the State HIMSELF than to suffer
them to be shot down.
Mr.. Benton of Guiliord, had never heard
the Thrush spoken i'll of, and was of the
opinion that il they infested the corn, il was
where the soil was so poor it would not pro-
duce worms.
Mr. Phelps of Windsor conceded He
thought birds did more good than harm, and
wished any gentleman whose fields were
troubled by them 10 call OH him, and he
would tell them how to obviate the mischief
without killing the birds. Amendment lost
Mr. Trumbull of Stonington, begged leave
to remark that this law did not restrain peo-
pie from killing birds on their own lands,
but was designed to curtail the liberties Of
those lawless intruders, who are fired with an
Unsuitable ambition to destroy harmless birds
on others premises.
The addition of the Wren and Humming-
bird to the protection of the bill was suggest
ed, and unanimously adopted.
MIR. Osgood of Ponffet, moved to amend
further by inserting the word Blackbird."
1t seemed to be conceded that this cunning
bird, either on account of his complexion, or
his tendency to socialism, was subjected to
unmerited odiun. Others considered him
the same little rascle in black jacket, as
formerly, and not like to improve by legsla-
tion; still the amendment was adopted by
close vote. Mr.. Osgood moved to amend
further by inserting The word "Quail," and
thus put IN end to the poaching propensilies
of certain professional hunters who go stroll
ing over other peoples premises, banging
away at everything, aud thus endangering
the lives of the people in the rural districts.
1t was objected that this bird was "gume"
under the law, and did not belong to this
flock.