Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-05-05
THE GREET J.TLUR or BIRDS
.f.N'D REPTELBS.


place of insects and reptiles, always disa-
greeable, and often dangerous. The de-
struction of poisonous reptiles and birds o.
prey too often leads to an indscriminate
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 rifle.
Useful reptiles and invaluable birds are
soon destroyed. Our Western settlements
do not attain a score of years till they are
visited by grasshoppers, cut worms, Gator
pillars, curculio and bugs of various kinds,
which destroy every green thing, and leave
us fruitless and treeless-tho natural. nee
ossary 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 arc making APP
preparations of city funds to import spar
rows from Europe to re-populate our city
parks, in hopes that they may prey upon
caterpillars and other insects so disagreea-
BILE in appearance and touch, and so de-
structivc TO the foliage of the ornamental
trees of our cities. Had our children been
taught to feed and caress all harmless
birds and reptiles, such importations would
not now be necessary; for we should have
had full supply of acclimatcd birds and
. domesticated lizards and toads. The de-
structivc and disagreeablc bugs, grubs and
worms that prey upon our gardens would
furnish most acceptable food for the LITTER.
while the birds on the wing would greatly
lessen every species of insect destructive to
blossom, leaf and fruit.
The cultiyators of tobacco find the tur-
key valuable auxiliary in the field. Pass
ing along the rows he has better eve for
the tobacco worm than for anything clso in
the field. And where grasshoppcrs are
moderately plentiful turkeys will form a
line across field and pick them up so long
as one can be found. The destruction of
prairie hens, partridges and larks will soon
be followed by insects that will prey upon
the crops of our Western praires till not a
green thing shall be visible. Better suffer
the depredations upon our wheat and corn
fields, of myriads of pigeons and partridg-
es, than to see clouds of locusts, weevils
and bugs settling down on the tender foli-
age.
Increase the domestic fowls of every
kind. Treat every kind of harmless bird
with the kindness aud gentlenoss you ex-
erclse towards an infant, and You will be
amply rewarded. Teach the children to
treat tenderly and feed carefully every lit
tic bird that comes near your dwelling,
and soon even our cities will he filled with
a variety of beautiful birds. Laws for the
protection of game should not only be en-
forced to the letter, but should, if necessary,
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 them-
selves better acquainted with the habits
and peculiarities of birds, beasts and in
sects, so that they may impart to their chill
dren and pupils proper instructions rela-
tive to the destructive nature of the one,
and the value of the other.
The sciences of Entomology and Orni-
thology are remarkable illustrations of the
greatness of little things. Yet fow learn
anything thoroughly, but by what they
they suffer. The farmer gazes with ad-
miration on his broad acres and growing
crops of corn and wheat, and calculates
with much satisfaction the thousands OF
bushels soon to fill his garners, but sud
dcnly armies of caterpillars, grasshoppers
and weoyils invade every field; the earth,
the air, and everything living and dead
seems charged with a voracious enemy.
Before them is a paradise of beauty; be-
hind, tho valley of the shadow of death,
He who has prepared the scourgc has also
provided the remedy. Let us not thwart
His purposes and all will be well, and oui
highest hopes realized.