The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-12-23
A Plea For the Birds.
From the Yorkuille Enquirer.

evil, and the integrity of our courts of
justice receive deserved attention.
There is: however. subject of
great public Importance which seems
to have escaped your notice-the pre-
servation of the birds. The need Of
the education of public opinion on
this subject constrains me to speak
through your columns, hoping to
attract some attention toit. Ignorance
and thoughtlessness are the roots of
the great evil of bird destruction.
The feathered tribes are an essential
element in the economy of nature.
The creation Of them was one of the
first steps in preparing the earth for
the habitation of man. They are a
benefcent provision of God for the
protection and pleasure of man. The
numerous forms of insects and worms
are among our great enemies. If there
was no provision Of nature to check
their depredations, all crops would be
destroyed by them, no trees could
long exist, and we would be subjected
to other sources of iatolerable injury
and annoyance from them.
The birds are Natures provision.
Insects and worms are their natural
food, and while feeding themselves,
they protect us. The quantity Of in
sects and worms required to support a
little bird (as given by naturalists) is
almost incredible. 1t is interesting
to watch the little things as they hop
from branch to branch of the trees,
searching limbs and leaves for worms.
The woodpecker is the special provis-
ion against the worms which lie con-
cealed in the bark of trees. I have
noticed even the pestiferous little
English sparrow going to and fro
between its nest and the cabbage bed,
carrying worms to feed its young.
The usefulness of birds as man S
protector is recognized by all enlight-
ened governments. The laws of our
State forbid the killing of all but a
few kinds. I understand that the
State of Virginia does not permit any
bird to be killed. at anytime. Some
years ago, owing to the determination
of birds in France, injury from insects
became so great that most stringent
laws for the protection of surviving
birds were made, and large quantities
were imported.
Birds are essential not only for our
protection. but also for the beauty and
attractiveness Of the world. The
great variety in their sizes, plumage
and song, is our nations most charm
ing features. No prima donna can
equal the notes of the mocking bird, !,
the Nightingale Of the South" No
music so sweet as the joyful song Of
birds in the early summer morning.
If there were no birds to fly joyfully
about and pour out their glad, bright
songs, the world would be lacking in
an essential element of beauty and
attractiveness. So much for the USE
fulness and attractivcness Of the birds.
How are they treated by man
these pretty, happy, useful little crea-
lures q? In word, they are recklessly
and mercilessly destroyed.
The sport of the country consists
largely in butchering them. Strong
men, furnished with rapidly firing
guns, scour the country with dogs
trained for the purpose, and find their
pleasure in shooting them down as
they try to escape. Many wounded,
escape instant death, to die slowly
from pain and starvation. Thisis the
sport of strong men. The principal
sport of our civilized, christianized
country
But this high (?) order of sport is
not confined to the more advanced
sportsmen, and to certain kinds of
little birds. But guns are so cheap
that every little boy, white and col
ored, can use one. The small boy
goes out to see what he can do in the
way of bird killing, and woe to any
little bird that he can fnd-be it
mocking bird, thresh or sparrow-its
happy, useful life is sacrificed to the
momentary qualification of killing a
bird. He feels as proud Of being able
to bring down the sitting, singing
thrush as his big brother does in
bringing downsthe frightened, flying
partridge.
The destruction Of birds nests is
another shameful form of bird exter-
mination. The propensity of boys to
destroy birds nests is one Of the
strong evidences of the naturally
savage nature of man. They take a
savage delight in tearing down the
nests, breaking the eggs and killing
the young birds.
To furnish sport for men and boys,
the birds of all kinds are being de-
stroyed. At the present rate of de-
struction, in few years a bird will
be a rarity. Nothing to stand between
us and the insect pests which are con-
tinually becoming more serious. No
sweet warblers pouring out their glad
songs. This, l repeat, is serious
matter. Far more serious than ques-
tions of county division, etc. The
country needs reform" along this
line. Our laws forbid the killing Of
birds Except few kinds). Ever:
good citizen should see that the law is
enforced. The enforcement of the
penalty few times, would have a
salutary effect on community.
Landowners ought to "post' their
lands permitting bird-killer to
put foot upon them. Shut them out,
as enemies to the public good. Parents,
teachers and others having influence
over children, should impress them
with proper sentiments towards the
birds. All having public good at
heart, should contribute their influence
towards a better public sentiment.
The prevailing treatment of the birds
is crime against God, nature and
man. and disgrace to our civilization.
PROTESTANT.
- There are church members who
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