The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-07-14
Provide Homes for the Birds.

Provide Homes for the Birds.
Every Morning since early spring, Gold
en- Robin has sung his cheerful song. eIecu'
tin, its charming irills, and shakes and war
bles ever 50 many times, and repeating the
finest passages with variations, from his cho
sen position in the willow OPT osite my win
dow. The hour ut which this musical en-
tertainment is given is so early that the au
dances are comparatively small, and not
one in hundred fthe passers by ever stcI
to listen to his notes, though many OF the
same persons would willingly pay live dol
lars to an intimation Of the song executed
by an artisie With flowers in her hair and
decorated with Jewels. Now and then, a
laborer on his way to his days work pau
ses u moment, and apparently cheered by
the sweet music hurries on, whistling u
favorile air. Sometimes boy who is in
tent on making this life constant warfare,
turns to look for stone. But very few
seem 10 hear the warbler ut all, and
were he to abandon his old home in the
willow his absence would scarce be no
ted.
Still the birds, like the flowers and every
thing beautiful in Nature, have mission
here. They are part Of the poetry OF The
world, and, uside from the essential acts o
kindness they perform for the farmer, they
were designed to aid in cullivating ou'
characters IL were well worth the while
to plan, trees and shrubbery about oul
da ellings If only to provide shelter and
home for the birds. There are birds that
live in our orchards and gardens, and in
crease in proportion as the land is devoted
to tilluge, but there IRE Others that frequent
only the woods, and have no sympathy
with the lonely farmhouse or the villag,
destitute OF tres. OF this class are the Woo
sparrow. the thrush, and many other sing
ing birds.
Iu the April number OF "Hovey's Maga
zine Of Horticulture" is an article on the
+" Means Of Multiplying the smaller Birds
around our dwellings," by WILSON FLACc
of Beverly, Mass, who has contributed sew
eral interesting and valuable papers TO that
work on subjects Of rural improvement. He
speaks of two methods Of preserving the
birds: the first consists in omitting to de-
stroy them the second in permitting the
growth of certain trees, shrubs and other
plants on which they depend entirely io'
shelter and subsistence. He says every
bird is more OF les attached To particular
character of grounds or shrubbery; and j
we destroy this character, we drive tins
particular species from our neighborhood
TO seek in other places its natural habits
The effect Of extreme care in securing a
smooth lawn and cutting away all under
brush has been TO exterminate the less Ia
miliar birds spoked Of above. Our author
saws the song sparrow will build its mes
not rod from our dwellings, if the righ
conditions are there. The nest is usual,
built on the ide Of The mound, where th'
crssses and moses are oyerrun with black
berry vines and wild rosebushes.
For the purpose OF picturesque effect, ant
aIording desirable residences Tor the birds
frnce made of rough small poles passed
through upright posts is recommended, IL
preference TO hedge-rows. The growth o
miscellaneous shrubbery near his rustic
fence should be encouraged. and here song
sters will make their homes. alt is thi
spontaneous growth Of shrubbery and othe
wild plants that constitutes one OF tn
charms of the New England stone wall. w,
seldom see one that is not covered on eacl
side. more ,r less with roses, bramble
spi,n. .yibernums and other vines and shrubs
40 that in some Of our open fields, the stone
walls with their accompaniments are tn
most attractive object in The landscape
Aluncl the base Of these walls where th'
nlough does not reach nature calls out tn
rue-ieayed anemoue the violet. the cranes
hill beil.wort. the delicate pink conyolvuius
and many other native flowers Of exceeding
beauty, while the rest Of the field Is deVote'
to ,illage.
In early times il was customary to erec
bird houses in the garden for the accommodu
ton of swallows, wrens, blue birds and mar
tini, bot comparatively few have been con
structed in late years. These little house
may be made cheaply and very ornamental
For some reason we always form iayol
able opinion of the resident OF u dwellin
when a bird.house is seen near it, and W
recall those beautiful lines
ale prayeth best who loveth best
Allthings, both great aud small;
For the Great God who loyeth Us,
He made and loyeth all"
In concluding his article, Mr., FLAGG use
the following language; "lf we observ
all these requirements (providing reirea,
and building houses) when employed in I'll
ing farm or laying out n country seat, W
but avoid the destruction Of those beantifr
relations which nature has establishe
throughout the earth. The plow and tn
scythe may do their work for man withou
interfering with the wants Of those cres
lures whom nature has appointed as th
enliveners Of his toll. Every estate nigh
be made to represent the whole country, j
its titled fields and cultivated lawn, wit
the proper admixture Of forest, thicket an
primitive herbage. Then, while sitting u
our windows, the eye would DO delighte
by the sight oil little copices Of vii
s6rubbery, with their underg,owth Of mos,
es, ferns an Christmas evergreens. rising ]
the midst OF smooth lawn and in charmin
opposition to The flower-beds, that are dis'rit
uied in other parts Of the ground. In th
miniature wilds, the smaller birds woal
find shelter, suited TO all their wants nm
instinct, and in return for our hospitality
would acc rs the the seniinels ofour orchard
and gardens, and the musicians TO attend
lin our daily labor and rccreations."