The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-04-19
"Gordon Keith" and Bird Protection.

Dear Aunt Jennie Yes, it is "Homely
Peggy" She wants to come in and thank Aunt
Jennie sincerely for the highly appreciated and
valuable book. 1t was to poor, tired Peggys
mind what an April shower is to the thirsty earth
and fowers-something that was much needed.
Gordon Keith" I think should be in every home,
especially where there are boys. Gordon was
bound to succeed. He mounted the obstacles one
by one. Ii there was no chance, he made one,
which is a fair test of a man with me. So many
of our boys these days can't do a~nything-those
sickening words, "No chance" And Peggy ven
lures to say that some of them throw away nine
chances out of ten, instead of making a chance,
as a man should. I used to look at men as strong
beings who could accomplish anything they tried;
if they had useless habits, could Quit them, if
they liked, as they were strong-willed. But I
think a good many don't care to drop them; it
must not be they "can't"; that word doesn't sound
manly.
Scores of boys waste many valuable hours
prowling over the fields and forest with a stump
tail dog and shot gun, killing the little birds that
God made to beautify and cheer this dull old
world. It would be more lonely than anything
you can imagine-quite different from hearing
almost any kind you know calling to their mates
early in the morning, for it is then they chant
their sweetest songs. Whoever rises late in the
spring mornings misses something that money
can't buy-nature's sweetest songs. I don't think
the world could exist without them, and still
thousands are slaughtered year after year. 1t
hasn't been long since I came across a little dead
bird fit for nothing but food for the insects; no
doubt the hunter would not have it. I met a
hunter who refused to take the bird they found;
he just shot it, he said; did not want it. What
f,n W., +boro IN that - Car not think how
lonely it was to his mate as she sat watching for
his return with food or water for their hungry
brood, and the double work that rested on her to
feed and care for them by herself? And proba-
bly, next day she, will meet the same fate. As the
hours slip by and the day wears on, no mother
returns to satisfy their hunger or quench their
thirst. They call her again and again, but she
is deaf to their cries. There is no one to protect
them. Now they are a prey for the snake or
hawk, or slow starvation. Poor little innocent
birds: the farmers best friend, and he so stupid
he can't see it.
He kills the birds that insects may our growing
crops infest.
'Tis best to pass protective laws, but If this can
not be done.
Put up a sign about the farm: Stay off, man
with your gun"
No, I don't think Gordon Keith would have
stopped to as low a thing as killing the birds that
do so much good. I wish we could import a
"cargo" of Gordon Keiths here and broadcast
them over the country. Not that Peggy would
think of capturing one, for she is too homely for
that. But she can raise her voice in three hearty
cheers for Gordon Keith. Again thanking Aunt
Jennie kindly, Peggy will retire, to listen to the
ceaseless song of the hooking bird, the lazy droll
of the bees, which tell her that spring has burst
the icy letters of winter asunder. Welcome,