Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1877-04-07
THE TRUE HERALD.

We greatly like the efforts that are
raakisg ~ eur friends Of the gun aud
tsbing-rod to protect the birds and
trout FROM the pot-hunier and the
wantsn aud indiscriminaie shooter
and angler. Possibly We would, IL We
could. restrain even the gentlemen OF
tho sportsmens Clubs from killing
certain Of our fcathered acquaintance,
though such killing should be justified
by the "sesson" and tho game laws.
Al all events, we do protest against
the slaughter Of any singing bird, OF
those not known as :" game birds" II
II slmply murderous to shoot robins
and sparrows, orioles and meadow.
Iarks. swallows and linneis. These
are the poor mans canaries. and moi
sloDe the poor man IS, but every mans
They share our spring.time and
greatly help to make II aud celebrate
II. We note that bold Robin In here
with his war-paint on, his strong eye
and his saucy gait. With an unusual
tsmeriiy tho swallows nave come with
all the other early guests. The linnets
and song-sparrows, and even the
bush whscking butcher. birds are here.
We have not met the oriole yet; but
lie will he sure TO come with the out
leaving Of the cotlonwoods for he is
one Of the most courageous and con-
slant Of our pioneers. But the true
Herald OF our spring-titne - the
meadow lark. Never did pursuivant
moro significantly, upon bugle horn
or trumpet proclaim the coming Of
royalty or kingIy pageant than the
meadow lark procaitns the arrival Of
the Spring. Mark the iuli emphasis
Of his note. There IL no thought Of
iimidiiy or selt.doub,ing in his tone !;
and h1 never relfacts. When he
comes, he comes TO stay, and his pro-
clamation In for better or worse.
When we see him, dead, In the posses.
sion Of a pot-huntcr land no true
sportsman ever kills these BIRDS, we
feel that . Gold b!ooded crime has
been done upon valued friend. The
calamity which befel the Ancien,
Mariner for killing The albatross Is
none too bad for the man who uses
his murder. dealing powder and shot
upon a meadow lark. The note OF this
brave herald Of the dawning Spring is
worth any mans early rising and
morning walk. John Burroughs,
whose Winter Sunshine and Wake
Robin rank next To Thorean's writings
IN transmitting flavor Of the woods
and fields and the open sir, has paper
in the current scribner, on "April"
lie devo'cs part OF his pleasant essay
TO our friend, The meadow-lark. lie
doals with him Us follows:
a prominent April bird that one
does not have To go to the woods OF
away from his own door To SEQ aud
hear, II the hardy aud ever " elcome
mcadow-lark. What a twang there Is
about this bird, aud what vigor 1t
smacks OF the soil. IL IL tho winged
embodiment of The spirit 81 our spring
meadows. What emphasis in its ~ d-l
z.d-t," and what character In its long,
piercing note. It's straight, taparing,
sharp beak Is typical OF It's voice. It's
note goes like shaft from n cross.
bow; II II n little too sharp aud pierre.
ing when wear at hand, but heard In
the proper perspective, It Is eininently
mclViious and pleasing. II IL QUO Of
the major notes Of the fields at this
season. IL fact, II easily dominates all
others. aspiring o. the year spring
q the year y 1t says, with long
drawn breath, u little plaintivo, but
not complaiDinihg. or melancholy. Az
tunes II INDUCES In something mucl,
more Intricate and lark-like while
lowering on the wing In mid air, but
spng IL beyond the compass Of its in
1rument. aud the attempt usually
ends IN break down. A clear, sweet
strong, high. keyed note uttered from
some knoll, or stake in the fence, II Its
proper vocal performance. II has the
build, aud walk, and flight Of the quail
and the grouse. II gets up before you
la much tho same manner, and falls
nm easy prey tn tho crack shot. is
yellow breast, snrnountod by u black
crescent, II need not he Rsha aied to turn
To tho morning sun, while Its motif cd
vrsy back blends perfectly with the
slubble.
The two lateral white quilts In il
tall seem strictly In character. These
quilts spring from dash Of scorn Ia
the birds makeup. ny tho aid ol
fhese, u eau almost emit flash as Il
struts about the Fields and jerks out IL,
sharp notes. They give . rayed, .
definite and piqusnt expression to IL,
movements. This bird IL not properly
y lark, but . starting, Aay tho ornIthoi
rgisss, though u In lark like In its hab
It's, bctng . walker aud entirely Z
krouud-bird. lts color Alec allies Il &
the true lark. / believe there IN nc
bird In the English or European field,
that sUswcrs % this husdy pedestrian
VI our meadows. lie IL = true Amcri.
eau, esd bic notA ono OF our character
isi'c April sounds.