The Republican journal., 1896-03-19
The Birds.

Inc Birds.
If ones home is in the country one can
find much enjoyment in watching the
birds-''n natures music boxes''-as thew
have been called. The study of their
ways and habits is one full of interest,
watch for the temperance of the birds
each year and welcome them as one would
old friends.
In winter these visitors are numerous
as well as in summer, but none of the lit
tie feathered songsters have as yet be-
come fearless enough to come on my win
dow sill except chickadees, sparrows and
the gay. dashing fellows, with their bril- :
liant plumage-the blue Jays. The last
are very bold, and after picking up the
crumbs placed for them would sit and
have quiet nap. Many a morning |
have been awakened by sudden tapping
on my window pane and | knew my flock
of jay birds had arrived
Ere long the glad spring time approaches
and these winter visitors HE them away
TO the woods away, where are
Spaces of silence swept with song
hlch nobody hears but the God above:
Spaces where myriad creatures throng
summing themselves in His guiding love"
During the summer from shade trees
and orchards comes most delightful music
from the little ''feathered choristers.
The wild, sweet notes of the oriole. caro-
ling of the robin, twittering of the swal-
low, musical notes of the blue bird. ten
der call of the phebe bird, the lovely song
OF the cat bird, so restful, and which
charms the summer twilight for me.
How | love to listen to them after a
summer shower, just as the rain ceases
and riffs in the clouds admit the radi-
ant sunbeams and everything is bathed in
glorious splendor; then from the dense
foliage arise sweetest strains of melody
which float out and away on the balmy
air They drink in the beauty and fresh
ness around them, and we listening catch
the gladness Of their song. May they ever
sing their anthems of praise unmolested.
Last summer the blue birds came in
fewer numbers and learned but few were
seen in Massachusetts, This was thoupht
to be due to the fact that these birds are
constantly being slaughtered for millinery
purposes. 1t is said that some varieties
are well nigh eXterminated already.
Celia Thaxter once wrote 'ss it not
possible to persuade women to take de-
cided stand in the matter Of the slaughter
of birds and protect them by refusing to
wear them?' The reports OF ornithologists
show the appalling destruction of oitr
song birds. Five million birds are an
nually required to fill the demand for the
ornamentation of the hats of American
women. In single village seventy thou
sand song birds We're supplied in short
time to New York dealers"
Birds render us important service in de-
stroying insects, which would increase in
vast numbers but for them 1t is gratify-
ing to know that in some localities
Bird Day" has been observed in the pub
lie schools, and the young are being made
acquainted with the beauty and usefulness
OF birds and taught that they should be
protected. | hope the day may not be far
distant when there shall be such an awak-
enng to thoughtfulness throughout our
land in regard to this matter as shall arrest
this cruel slaughter of birds.
They have no power to beg for life,
Ii is for them plead.
Could ye but see the bright wings torn
From birds alive and bleeding.
And note their quivering agony,
/ had no need of pleading.
The wingless form flung in the dust,
Its deathiy pam and terror,
Would wake i'll every womans heart
a bitter sense OF error
Can we really admire as an ornament
that which tells so sad tale?
Monroe Centre, Me. s.L.F.