The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1907-05-10
A Blue Bird Convention.
BY ]. II. Mitchell.

~ohS udSS dSC tHcCe was B.ue
Bird convention held on Scapeo'er
Swamp, in Sumter county The wealth
er was very fine and there was large
number OF Blue Birds present They
had come from nearly every county in
the State. The attendance was large
because the Blue Birds are SO few as
compared with few years ago. and
because there is widespread fear
among them that they may all die and
there will not be Blue Bird left.
lhe convention was held at the place
have named because Mr.. Blue
Bird who lives there had sent messen-
sengers through the State leaving this
announcement: Il request that every
Blue Bird i'll every county shall meet
his fellow citizen in some suitable field
and elect delegates to a general con.
vention to be held on Scapeo'er
swamp, to devise some plan for the
preservation OF our family"
In response to tins call. they came
IN great numbers. They lost no time
~hen they had assembled, but the lead
ing Blue Bird mounted high twip and
made simple but interesting speech
1t was very tender and sad speech.
because it told of much suffering and
death in the family about ten or eleven
years ago. 1t was deeply earnest
speech, too, because the speaker real
" believed that the family is in great
Danger OF being completely DESTROYED.
"hlie he spoke many of the delegates
wept because of their sad condition
Alter this bird had finished his speech.
ne asked that one bird from each coun-
~ would speak and tell in simple and
honest way what he knew of their his
tory and present condition. They all
spoke OF the awful suffering IN 1905.
ana the many deaths from cold and
munger. 1t was shown in the speecbes
that nearly all Blue Birds die of cold
ana hunger or cruelty of people. or Of
stronger birds.
Alter all the speeches were made
they decided to have one of their MINI
Der write a simple statement OF the
iactS which they had SPOKEN about. ard
TO make an appeal for help to all
kind-hearted and humane people. SO
a bright young fellow was appointed to
90 the writing and report early next
Then they adjourned and
scattered over the field in search of
1000 and slept in such places as thew
could procure. When they assembled
next morning it was found on calling
the roll that three of the birds had
oeeh DESTROYED by some wild animal
ing The statement and appeal was
read by the appointed bird and heartily
approved. This is what he wrote:
TO all the people OF kind and hu-
name hearts: The Blue Bird family is
in danger OF being destroyed. We
lead an innocent and simple life. We
rarely eat anything except insects, and
by nature cannot withstand much cold
SO when the SHOWS and freezes come
we cannot easily secure food and soon
die OF cold and hunger. We never do :
the farmer or gardener harm, but al |
ways good. We never take his fruit
but kill many harnfrnl insects. There
are many birds stronger than we which
drive us from our nests or destroy our
eggs or young. There are still other
animals which feed on such helpless |
birds as we. Then there are bad and
thoughtless boys, and even men, who
do not regard our innocence nor
value, that take our lives for what they
call sport (Which is very mysterious
word to us). From all these foes we
need protection and there is no one
except people OF kind and humane
hearts to help us. We appeal to you,
therefore, to help us. Make us small
homes and perch them on poles or
posts where beasts OF prey cannot read
lily find us. In these we will sleep in
winter and raise our young in sum-
mer. Drive away the birds that would
take our homes. Teach thoughtless
boys and heartless men to be good.
DO this for us and we will catch many
harmful insects for you and make
more beautiful and happy this great
home ofsfyours. You are our only
friends; there is no one else to help us:
we appcaistazNes." - -
Then they adjourned ard few away
to their homes, happy in the hope that