The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-05-16
The Great value of Birds and Reptiles

"A
ing place of insects and reptiles, always
disagreeable, and often dangerous. The
destruction of of poisonous reptiles and
birds of prey too often leads to an indis-
criminate slaughter of everything wild.
The boys practice throwing stones at
everything till they can command the use
of the bow and arrow but all ordinary
weapons soon give place to the fowling-
piece, and deadly rife. Useful reptiles
and invaluable birds are soon destroyed,
Our Western settlements do not attain
score of years till they are visited by
grasshoppers, cut worms. caterpillars,cur-
culio and bugs Of various kinds, which
destroy every green thing, and leave us
fruitless and treeless-the natural, nec-
essary and just result of our destructive
ness. All our children have been trained
Nimrods, mighty hunters Of harmless,
useful birds and valuable snakes, lizards,
toads and frogs. The usefulness of many
kinds of small birds has become so obvi-
GUS that grave city councils aie making
appropriations of city funds to import
sparrows from Europe to re-populate our
city parks, in hopes that they may prey
upon the caterpillars and other insects so
disagreeable in appearance and touch, and
so destructive to foliage of the ornament
al trees Of our cities. Had our children
been taught to feed and caress all harm
less birds and reptiles, such importations
would not now be necessary; for we should
have had full supply of acclimated birds
and domestic lizards and toads. The de-
structive and disagreeable bugs,grubs and
worms that prey upon our gardens would
furnish most acceptable food for the lat
ter, while the birds on the wing would
greatly lesson every species of insect de.
structive to blossom, leaf and fruit.
The cultivators of tobacco find the tur-
key valuable auxiliary in the field
Passing along the rows he has better
eye for the tobacco worm than for any
thing else in the field. And where grass
hoppers are moderately plentiful turkeys
will form line across field and pick
them up SO long as one can be found. The
obstruction of prairie hens, ,partridges and
larks will sooon be followed by insects
that will prey upon the crops of our
Western prairies till not a green thing
shall be visible. Better suffer the de.
predations upon our wheat and corn fields
of myriads of pigeons and patridges, than
to see clouds of locusts, weevils and
bugs settling down on the tender foil.
age.
Increase the domestic fowls of every
kind. Treat every kind of harmless bird
with the kindness and gentleness you ex.
ercise towards an infant, and you will be
amply rewarded. Teach the children to
treat tenderly and feed carefully every
little bird that comes near your dwelling
and soon even our cities will be filed with
variety Of beautiful birds. Laws for
the protection of game should not only be
enforced to the letter, but should if nee.
essary, be amended SO as to insure the
full benefit of all birds during the season
when their appetites for insects is most
keen.
Parents and teachers should make
themselves better acquainted with the
habits and pcculiarities of birds, beasts
and insects, so that they may impart tC
their children and pupils proper instruc
tions relative to the destructive nature Of
the one, and the value of the other.
The sciences of Entomology and Orni
thology are remarkable illustrations o.
the greatnes of little things. Yet few
learn anything thoroughly, but by wha
they may suffer. The farmer gazes with
admiration on his broad acres and grow
ing crops Of corn and wheat. and calcul
ates with much satisfaction the thousands
Of bushels soon to fill his garners, bu
suddenly armies of caterpillars, grass
hoppers aud weevils invade every field
the earth, the air, and everything living
and dead seems charged with voracioul
enemy. Before them is the paradise o
beauty behind, the valley of the shadow
Of death He who has prepared tht
scourgc has also provided the remedy
Let US not thwart His purpose and al
will be well, and our highest hopes reali
zed.