Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-09-05
COMMUNICATIONS.
FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE GAME OF
TENNESSEE-No u.

TENNESSEE-No. T.
I promised in my last to continue the subject o.
the protection of birds suppose the birds nigh
be divided into four classes. viz: Birds of Prey
Scavenger Birds, Birds for the bag or table, anC
Birds of plumsge and song.
The birds of prey are very few-the eagle, ow
and hawk. The eagle, especially the Washington
eagle. while might be inclined to capture them i
could, yet would not think of killing them, be
cause of their national character Yet l would net
ask any protection for any bird of prey. So you
may kill all the owls and hawks that you can find.
The scavenger birds ought by all means to be pro
tected, particularly the carrion BIRDS such buzz
yards ravens and carron crows. 1t may be objected
that the raven is a great offender, and ought not
live; but when we remember how industriously and
e9ectually they relieve Of that which is SO often
sve his slight misdemeanOrs ought to be borLe with
So that, by all MEANS les the seaveDgers live; for
while they are filth themselves, they purify the
earth. --...-
1t is worthy of note, that in the arrangements Of
q wise providence, the class of small birds that
gather about the habtation of man, though for the
greater part scavengers yet they are by no means
offensive TO man, but to the contrary, very easant
to the eye ear or both, and every way ornsmen-
tai. shall not attempt to notice by name all the
birds of this class but it may be proper that should
notice few of them, and will take up the most
popular of this class first; viz the wood-pecker.
do not suppose that this bird has many friends
The bare fact that they like cherries and apples and
pick into an of occasionally, has put every
body against them, and withal their name does not
do them any goOd but after all they, are beautiful
serviceable birds. Now give up for moment your
prejudces, and take another look at that old famil-
lar bird who was in sort the companion of your
youth Look at his white breeches his blue coat and
red cap. He looks like militia captain, and re-
member that for every cherry that he has taken he
has killed fifty worms, one hundred bugs, and FIVE
hundred flies; and who knows but he caught and
killed the very worm which would have killed the
cherry tree from which he took the cherries He
has loud shrll, cheerful WHSLE, which makes one
think of bOyhoOd and youth, aud Notwithstanding
they are little shamefaced, and hop around the
limb when looked at too closely, yet they are semi
domestic and have fondness for the habitation of
man; and should fail to get protection for them
l would just say to all concerned, kill your own
wood-peckers and let mine alone.
The sap-sucker and yellow hammer belong to the
scayenger class and do much in the way of protect
ing trees and ought be killed at any season Of
year. as they are all suitable for food and are
utterly worthless, even offensive, when killed The
same true of almost the entire list of singers the
hawking bird, the thrush the red bird, the jay and
cat-bird, as well as the wren and sparrow The
snow-bird is an exception, and needs projections
they do not raise in this country and good for
food, and the boys may trap them and Welcome
But those birds mentioned above make almost no
flesh they feed mainly on flies and worms, which it
seems are not at all nutritious 1t may be said of
them that they always poor, and therei not
of the small birds of country of the scavenger,
plumage, singing classes, that ought to be kill
ed; they are all useful or ornamental, or both Let
them be protected. No ornamental tree is complete
without bird in its branches; and where can you
find country home with finished charms without
the singing of birds. The waterfall may be there:
the carpet of grass may cover the ground; the
beautious shade of the noble eak and elm may be
thrown around, but should bird be seen or heard
one of the chief objects of attraction would be
wanting We're an artist to paint landscape view
without birds in the groves, he would sin against
the srt Bless the birds-do not let the bad boys
kill them. A LOVER OF NATURE.