The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1897-05-15
Unknown Friends.

How few OF US there are who know
what true friends and helpers We have
in the birds which the Audubon clubs
are striving TO protect against the heart.
less demands Of Dame Fashion. Aside
from their cheerful songs and sprightly
ways they are great factors in helping
us to get the fresh luscious fruits and
green vegetables we 60 much enjoy,
what would the farmer do without these
little feathered friends? 1t is wonderful
the numbers OF worms and insects these
little busy bodys destroy each day. All
day long we see them fitting from limb
to branch, from branch to twig. pecking
at the bark. turning over the leaves,
peering in the blossoms for the worm,
bug or eggs which they seldom fail to
find. Ask the farmer about the black
birds, the beautiful crow black bird,
with his glossy head and neck of SHIN
mering blue and green, how they follow
the pow all day long working away in
the rich loaming soil as the pillow turns
it up, digging out the worms and in
sects, assuring him with his hearty
raspirg cackle that he will do his part
towards making a good crop in the fall
il he will only let him work. He is not,
however the only hard worker. Have
you never watched the robin, with his
pretty red breast standing in the green
grass of the lawn? Motionless for
moment. then cooking his head to one
size with an inquis;tive, what's the
matter with-you sort Of look, q quick
hop, a now watch me nod, jerk, and up
comes Mr.. Cut Worm or big, white,
juicy grub from his dinner on the
young roots of grass that make our fine
lawns. Later these same grubbs and
cut worms get tired of working in the
sod and leave the lawns for our flower
beds and cut down the tender plants and
rob us OF them like thief in the night,
so that instead OF fine bed OF bright
blossoms there is nothing left but few
withered plants that hardly repay US
for the time and trouble spent in caring
for them. One little red breast during
the season will destroy Is quarts OF
these destructive worms. Some of us
have accused these birds OF robbing our
fruit trees and vines. But think they
are entitled TO the few cherries they
help themselves to and very reasonable
are their charges. Another little friend
with which We are perhaps better &C
quainted is the brown thrush or brown
thrasher as he is sometimes called. This
pretty golden eyed, bright brown plum
aged bird is one of our sweetest song
steIs. Early in TIE morning when the
first faint streaks OF dawn appears in
the east, late in the evening when the
sun has gone down, high on cotton.
wood or maple he likes to perch amid
the green leaves, pouring forth his
sweet song, seeming never to tire in his
efforts to brighten this matter Of fact
old world of ours. Thon We have the
lite sore'1l, breis;ed wooi thrush, in
habits rather seeking the seclusion OF
some retired wood, where perched on a
dead bran b he whistles his five or six
little parts with the clearness Of bell.
each O. which seems more delightful
than the first. He always reminds me
Of some coil. pleasant, fragrant dell with
clear, babbling brooks and often wnen
firei / like to seek this little friends
home and lie down on the rich green
turf. listen to and enjoy this little
singers wonderful music.
hnod cat bird NTH iia cat