Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-05-21
The Importation and Protec-
ton of Song Birds.

Itis fact recognized among ornithol-
ogists that the birds of North America,
though strong of wing, brilliant in
plumage, and of an almost boundless
variety of species, are far behind those
of Europe in respect to the power of
continuous song. Birds that chatter
and chlrp and utter peculiar cries, like
the jay and whippoorwill, we have in
plenty, but very few real singers. As
the summer songs Of birds are one of
the purest and most precious of luxur-
les to people of refined tastes, it has be-
come question of interest how far the
vocal shortcomings of our native birds
can be successfully supplemented by
judicious importations of foreign spe-
cies. Something in this direction has
been done by an association in Boston,
but by far the most liberal and intelli-
gent effort yet made in this country has
been at Cincinnati, where there is a
regularly organized Society OF Accli-
nation, made up largely Of Germans
and headed by very intelligent enthu-
siast named Erckenbrecher. This So
ciety grew out of the yearnings Of a
few cultivated Germans to hear once
more, in their own groves and gardens.
the familiar bird songs of the Father
land. A small sum Of money was
raised by subscription, and some dozen
pairs of German singing birds import
ed and set free. The success of the ex-
pertinent was complete, and the native
Cincinnatians became interested and
Joined in the enterprise. Nearly $4,000
i'm all has been subscribed, and few
days rgo second lot, comprising 1900
birds of thirty-fsur different varieties,
were brought over by a member Of the
of the society sent specially for the
purpose. They were set free in the
suburbs of Cincinnati and at once be-
gan the work of building their nests,
and preparing, it is hoped and believed
for permanent abode. The songsters
imported last year are also returning
so that Cincinnati naturally looks upon
the experiment as demonstrated sue
cess. Among these new songsters are
the nightingale, the skylark, the Ger.
man blackbird and dozen other en-
shrined in English and continental lit.
erature, and hallowed by the early as
sociations of all our naturalized citi.
zens. In England the care and pro-
lection of birds is made subject ol
prime importance by the government
In our own State there is stringent
but rarely enforced law prohibiting the
shooting of all the smaller birds. Not.
withstanding this we notice that thu
warmth of the past few days has awak.
ened the thirst for bird blood among
the army of callOw sportsmen abOu
the city, and in suburban groves ant
orchards the fusilade has already be-
gun. 1t is the duty of every citizen t.
aid the police by every means in sup
pressing this perennial outrage. Be
sides being barbarous and cruel 1t is |
wanton waste of the very creatures de
signed to protect our gardens and field
from the ravages of insects. Putin,
it upon no higher ground than mer
sordid utility, the bird shooter is nuis
ance to be suppressed at all hazards
To every person capable of enjoying tn
music Of singing birds, the destruction
of n songster is a murder, and it is a
such that It should be regarded. Tn
boys and the shot guns will therefor