The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-04-22
For the Jef!srsonian Democrat. 4
About the Birds.

EDIToR DEMoCRAT IL wish to talk about
birds moment-an old themc, hut worthy.
The gay little fellows are coming from green
fields, and forests, and fragrant flowers, to
our yot wip,er-brown shores, bringing
CHEEKY songs and promise of sunshine and
verdure; and common courtesy demands
that wo give thom a pleasant welcome, and
make their stay as happy as possible. And
am not speaking now in behalf of meadow
iarks, robins. or blue. birds, but for all tho
birds that spend the season with US. know
thesefs vulgar prejudice against crows,
black birds, hawks, owls, etc. But it exists
only with those ignorant of tho habits of
these birds. A farmer seos crow pull up
a bill of corn, and forthwith shoots it. Now,
if ho will examine its "crop," he will find it
to contain. on IN average. q hundred worms
and insects to every kernel Of corn and, If
he will use the same mathematical wisdom
in this case that he does in manuriug and
planting his crop. be will find crows pay :
ing investment. He will put up sufficient
"scaro-crows" to keep them entirely off the
field till tho corn is we'll up, when he will
rem owe them, which is quite as important as
putting them up.
Without the interference OF man, the an.
mal Kingdoms balance nicely, but, wbere
he establishes himself, he destroys the nat
ural home and food ftbe insect-tho woods
and weeds-without destroying the insect
itself; and. to aggravate the evil, he vents
his murderous hatred on the little birds
most morciesslY, though their whole lives
are devoted to bis service. But bis villainy
is soon punished, though he receives it with
anything but meekness.' For you will hear
him growing about "wire.worms," "cank-
er.worms." "army- worms" and "weavel.
Besides, his bees dio out, and bis vinos arc
eaten up. and his fruit falls off, and his trees
wither and die. Some are SO ignorant or
so lost TO decency as to piously charge these
evils to Providence, whereas they are the
simple penalties of violated. law. While we
educate our children to wantonly destroy
the birds for mere pastime, and ourselves
indulge the criminal practice, meanwhile
negcctiug, from sheer Incidence, tho de-
structon of pernicious insects, these evils
will not only rest upon Us, but rapidly in
crease.
Now, I propose that we add to our pleas
ure, our profit and our virtue, by taking tho
birds under our special care. Give the boys
time and encouragement to build houses
for wreps, bluebirds and martins, and put
them up about the garden and the house.
1t there are no boys. let the old gentleman
try his hand. He will bo better natured all
summer. And it would be emnently prop.
or for mothers and sisters to drop their
household cares a few moments in the day.
for this purpose; and the constant, bursting
happiness of the little wren. ''the robin sing.
ing in the RAIN" the martins cheery twitter
and familiar ease, and the bluebird's tender
care, will amply repay all trouble taken.
Aud, while these merry singers trea. you to
a daily concert, richer and purer than any
opera. they only ask in return the insects
AROUND your house and garden. r. L.