Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-12-16
Htiseellansons geading.
A PLEA FOR THE BIRDS.
Written for The Enquirer.

The ENQUIRER is usually alert on
matters affecting the public good. The
improvement of our roads, che develop.
ment of the agricultural, mining and
commercial interests of the county, the
abatement of the liquor evil, and the in
tegrity of our courts of justice receive
deserved attention.
There is, however, a subject of great
public importance which seems to have
escaped your notice-the preservation
of the birds. The need of the educa-
ton of public opinion on this subject
constrains me to speak through your
columns, hoping to attract some atten-
ton. to it. Ignorance and thoughtless-
ness 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
bene6cent provision of God for the pro-
lection and pleasure of a 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 intolerable 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. 1 have
noticed even the pestiferous, little
English sparrow going to and fro
between it's nest and the cabbage bed,
carrying worms to feed its young.
The usefulness of birds as mans
protector is recognized by all enlight-
ened governments. The laws of our
state forbid the killing of all but q
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
the birds in the early summer morn
ing. If there were no birds to fly JOY
fully 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 usefulness and attractiveness
of the birds.
How are they treated by man
these pretty, happy, useful little crea-
lures? In a word, they are reck'
lessly 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