The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-08-09
Birds, the Farmers Friends.

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Birds are source of unfailing pleas
ure to man. Adorned with the richest
colors, they delight the eye; chanting the
sweetest music, they charm the ear. For
this reason, if for no others, we should
invite them tosvisit our homes, and sport
upon the trees incur cultivated grounds.
And birds not only please, but profit
the farmer. They are our co-laborers in
the field of industry. They feed upon the
insects which destroy the fruits of our gar
dens and fields. Without their timely serv-
ice our labor would be in vain The use
fitness of birds in destroying insects can
hardly be over-estimated.
Mr.. Bradley, a writer on gardening and
husbandry, informs US thata pair of spar
rows once carried to their nest, on an av-
erage. forty caterpillars every hour dur
ing the day. Hence, nearly five hundred
of these destructive insects were disposed
of in twelve hours by two little 3irds Ten
pairs of sparrows would therefore destroy
thirty thousand caterpillars per week
enough to ruin any garden or fruit orchard
in the land a..
An Interesting question here arises
Were those insects created to annoy the
" LORDS of creation" or to feed the birds :
1t is evident that they answer both pur.
poses; and we cannot doubt that each
race holds an important position, and
serves an important purpose, in the econ
omy of nature. 1t is enough for US to
know that these inferior creatures enjoy a
temporary existence, constitute link in
Natures chain, and display the wonderful
wisdom and benevolence of the Creator
No matter if they are destroyed; their
death is the life of "a nohler race. We
say they trouble us; SO do we trouble
them. Have they not right to place
and living as well as ourselves? We
'havesnOt prior, if we have a better, clam
than they. But conceding this superior
right to man, the trouble these insects give
Is only one ofthe many annoyances
which we meet in our intercourse with
the world, suited to cultivate ourpatience,
care and industry. Birds are our help
ers, and labor to relieve US of these an
uoyRnoes. Hence it is crime to hunt
and destroy them. The sporting hoy,
who seeks enjoyment in shooting and
bling their nests, should be sent TO the
House Of Correction, or "beaten with many.
sfripes.n Let us invite to our Enclosures
these harmless and useful animals. Let
them frequent our groves, and build their
nests in our shade trees, and We shall be
happier, wiser and better for our inter-
course with fhem.
The domestic bird is part and parcel of
every farm yards hasis The companion Of
our children, and dependent upon our
care and protection. Domestication has
produced changes, both in the figure and
colorsdfs these fowls. The. wild birds of
the same species always appear alike,
each individual being a correct represent
alive Of the whole race. But the cock
and hen represent every variety of color
and Size These changes are doubtless
owing to difference Of climate and manner
Of feeding. The oFiginaI stock, from
which our domestic f6wlscS1ne, are found
on the islands Of the Indian Ocean, and
on the coast Of Malabar, in the East In.
dies. These wild hens are black and vel
low, and always of the same size
The cock, like the man o. honor" is
brave in domestic qslairels, but cowardIy
before foreign Zoe. Let another cock
crow in his presence, and he will attack
him with great violence, and frequently
hey will fight until both die. But when
he hawk approaches, that same cock will
'kulk away to some hiding place for
|afety, without regard to the safety of
he family over which he presides. In
he figf ting habits Of the cock the duelist
inds an example.~.A few sharp words
hon the challenge, and finally tine pistol
THAT decides the controversy. If both |
re not MORALLY wounded las they ought |
0 be), the victor oxults over his fallen |
oe. and seems satisfied % have avenged |
IL insplted honpf and it. is q question