Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-05-16
Corresponding.
For the Standard.
Birds.

The chipping Of early birds is st1seter
than the cunning Of instratments.-SPAR-
PAPERS.
Let me plead for the protection of the
birds. When the lovely Spring begins
to gladden. our hearts, the first hoarse
guffaw of the Crow, the first dulcet note
of the Robin, the first matin whispers of
the Swallows soft toned wings are the
signal for their molestation. How can
the bird-killing propensity in men be ac-
counted for? The propensity among
men to kill harmless birds and other
small and inoffensive animals, and among
children to poster, and sometimes to tor
ture and kin them? And what remedy
is there for these evils
As nation, we may have faults that
should be corrected. Let us give little
special thought to this bird-killing bust
ness. kites, hawks and wolves deserve
their fate" Possibly. But doubt in
the beginning of WISDOM and it may be
advisable that we be on ourguard in ref
erence to wrong teaching. A Patagoni-
an refused his daughter in marriage, and
gave her severe reprimand for having
encouraged a suitor who had never Civ
en- any evidence of his ability to main
tain family, by stealing horse or do
ing any other similar commendable act
of thrift! We sneerat that trait of char
acter which approves of thieving; but
our symptoms of education which, tacit-
ly at least, approves of the needless and
wanton destruction of useful and harm
less animals is not, perhaps, above criti-
cism and amendment.
Those agriculturists and pomologists
who are not close observers of natures
doings around them, too generally con-
slider birds as their enemies. They are
more likely to see the Hawk catch the
chicken than to notice his destruction of
the mice. They can see plainly enough
that the Robin eats cherries but do not
see that he also eats the insects that would
destroy the cherry trees. They would
wish to exterminate the Rice birds for
taking ''only three grains of corn" at the
harvest time, without thanking them for
having prevented the insects from taking
the whole field.
a more careful observation of the do
ings of birds, more encouragement to the
study of orthodoxy in the schools and
around the hearthstone, and a more con-
scientious regard to theright fife would
be "a feather in our caps" as an exem-
plary nation.
There are many right-hearted men
and gentle boys who do not countenance
the destruction of birds; but there are
also many of both boys and men who
never allow woodchuck or squirrel or
toad or the like to cross their path with
out making var upon it; and who never
listen TO the sweet song of bird without
itching to stone or shoot it. With what
confidence would many of our favorite
birds come and nest and sing in and
around our buildings if we never misused
them. And how we should love their
company, their services, and their cheer
ing and soothing music.
The press is often commencing the
protection Of birds, and yet there is a
continued destruction Of them. The So
eial squirre[hunts, involving as they do
the almost indiscriminate determination
Of birds, are shamefully pernicious; and
shooting birds for pastime is a most rep
rehensible practice. mo man has anv
private right inconsistent with the gener-
al good" The school house and the
nursery must be chiefly relied upon for
the ameliOration of our malconduct to
the birds; but would there not be eff
cheney and peculiar appropriateness in
State and National agricultural societies
calling due attention to it?
E. HARRINGTON.
May-Dav. 1856.