The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-02-06
BIRDS OUR FRIENDS.
But We Treat Them as if They Were
Our Enemies.

All IuC VI llo al 2 u1o11 . iitSAoS S-N
cept a precious few, and even these
few are not as bad as they have been
painted, says the Columbia Record.
But, as the Record goes on to say,
men in their ignorance treat them
as enemies, and so it behooves these
who have some knowledge of their
value to come to their defence. We
are glad to see that the Audubon
Society of South Carolina, which has
already made our people better ac-
quainted with birds, is doing this
Its last annual report is splendid
tribute to our feathered friends that
ought to awaken our people to the
Importance of safeguarding them
against the "snares of the fowler
and their ruthless murder by the
sneaking "pot hunter
1t is gratifying to know that the
desire for the protection of birds is
becoming more pronounced and
widespread, not only because they
have been found Doe of incalcuable
benefit to the human race, but from
l feeling Of sentiment. AS our peo-
ole learn more and more of bird life,
Of the absolute value birds are in
making this a habtable globe, we
are confident that not only will right
haws be enacted for their protection,
BUT the State will see to it that the
laws are rigidly enforced.
The vast majority Of birds, as has
been said, is. harmless, an economic
force provided by Dautre for mans
protection and happiness. The bene-
icent birds have been classified, and
set apart from the small number that
are more destructive than helpful.
They destroy what, without them,
would make this world desert, in
capa BILE of supporting human life.
We shall not enter upon discussion
of the billions of insects and worms
that they destroy annually. which, if
left undestroyed, would make 1t
impossible to raise any sort of crop.
Every insect-eating bird is wsrth
annually to the farmer more than
he knows. Even the much maligned
crow is worth his weight in gold.
Granting that he pulls up an occas-
ional grain Of corn just sprouted,
he destroys pests thousand fold
more destructive to the young corn
or wheat or oats or barley then he
is; and the farmer ought cheerfully
to grant him this smaller measure
of toll for the immense amount OF
good he does. 1t is said that bull
BAT, which men shoot for mere pas
time, will destroy in day thousands
of the moths that lay the eggs of
cotton caterpillars whose ravages
cost cotton planter from $50,000,-
coo to $1OO, 100000 in a single sea-
son.
So we might go on showing the
immense value of each kind of birds
to the agricultural interests of the
country, but If we did so we should
have no time to speak for the birds
from the standpoint of sentiment.
This would be tame sort of world
without the birds, that form those
''choirs invisible" about which
James Lane Allen writes so charm
ingly. They are associated with the
happiest times of ones life.
We never hear catbird sing
that we do not recall boyhood days,
when the apple or cherry trees in
the yard of the old home were made
early in the day, while the dew
lrops like gems shone in the grass,
vocal with his jubilant song. And
he little house wren, because of its
connection with those far off times
{ h"n2v bcy'hnol, has for us Pc
| :uliar charm. and we would no more
think OF robbing it Of its life than
we would child's. So of the blue
bird and the robin, though of the
latter we have in past ignorance
killed many one, but never after
learning that for song they compare
'ayorably with our cardinal bird or
orr shy brown thrush that loves the
dark, dim woods.
Even the blue jays, pert and i'm
pudent though they be, which the
negroes used to tell us-and we ac-
cepted their story as gospel truth
carried sand 10 the Devil every Fri
| !aT, we love: nor "ould be want to
| III c3c Of them now even had we
never discovered that the negroes
we're only giving voice to their su-
perstition They may be classed as
| the dandies among birds. and ye:
| in spite OF their shrill, discordant
crics, that we used to associate with
profanity, they are good company
and beautiful to see.
All. what a pleasure birds are and
how dull life would be without them.
Why men want to kill them, We can
net understand. They are both the
life and the happiness of the world,
Perhaps when We get hold of that
truth, birds life will be regarded
rs a sacred thing.
Change of Location.