Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-11-30
A PLEA FOB THE ROBIN.

APLEA FOR THE ROBIN.
The familiar aud welcome sOrg Of the
robin Is heard In spring throughout the
the American continent. Its range Is
from the taslelauds OF Mexico to the
desolate regions Of Hudson bay in the
53.d degree of north latitude. This
wide distribution and love for the home
of man has given him g close place 10
the hearts OF the people OF the United
S ates. AT present through the efforts
of the Virginia Audubon Association
great interest has been sroused In The
preservation OF this bird, not only tor
ito aesthetic value, but especially for Its
economic value TO our state and nation.
Tue robin is still on the game list OF
Virginia and it is shame and ditgrace
| to us that it is allowed to continue 80
All the states 10 the union give Its pro-
lection save the Cd Dominion.
From the 18Th OF February to the Is:
of April thousands are slaughtered an
nuslly in a cruel and wsDton manner.
When the spring migration sets 10,
when on their north bound journey,
back to their loved homes, dressed 10
their wooing garments aud bringing The
glad news Of new life 10 the earth,
then it is as they enler our
old STATE, asking shelter and q
resting place, that they are met by a
host OF men and boys who stand ready
with paddles and guns to do their bloody
work, thus depriViOg not only Virgins
but the whole nation of one Of lie most
beautiful and useful intoxicating sopg
birds. There Is 60 much sentiment
about the red breast; the bird Of legend,
song and story. There Is said TO be
much sentiment about the robin 10
old Virginia, but away with sentiment
which ends 10 "pot.pies and robins on
toast" We get out Of our cradles With
a copy of Mother Goose In our hands ss
We turn iis pages, our fathers and
mothers soon teach our lispiDg tongues
the trsgedy of Dock Robin. Oar eyes
are blinded With tears as they relate the
sad story of his death and We will
not be comiorted 10 our grief. A little
later the scene chsnges and these same
fathers shoot these tiny morsels, aud
these same mothers cook and serve on
lordly dishes the friends of our happy
childhood. Yes! feast on the robin
who drought fire from heaven to
man." feast on the robin who moistens
the lips of the doomed souls In
Geheuns.
"He brings cool dew in his little bill
And let's it fall on the souls OF SIN;
You can see the marks on his red breast still
Off es that scorch as he drops it in."
Oh! the. robin, that blessed bid
that plucked one thorn from the
DYING Saviour's brow and received
from bis lips benedictlon-"B .Cause
thou hast done this,thy breast shall glow
eterpally tinged With my blood; thou
shalt be be loved and known of ell mer,
thy home shall be near bis hsbitstIon
and Thy voice shall gladden. the earth."
Legends you will say. Yes-but legends
such ss these have moved the world.
Many wauderer has been called back
to home and loved ones by the COAL Of
the Robin" Audubon tells us, 10 bis
own words, how, discouraged 10 the
wilds o. Labrador, be had determined TO
end his misery, bat falling asleep he
wss awakened by the voice OF this sweet
singer which recalled home and loved
ones far away and he arose strong to
continue his journey. Thus was
saved through this little bird q valu'
able life and works given to the world
tnat make bis name an honor to
the southland, and known through.
out the civilized nations. Oar dis
ting uished sculptor, Edward V. Valen-
tine, has just completed 8 masterpiece of
Audubon to be placed in Audubon park,
New Orleans, amid the grand old mesa
covered oaks be loved 30 we'll. The statue
is a gift from the legislature Of Louisi-
ana TO the city OF bis birth and on May
Alb, 1908, the robin was declared pro-
tected. Audubon is represented dressed
in hunters costume, standing on q
ledge of rock, his gun giving place to
the palette and brush In the hand. A
new vision opens up before hin. the
vision that comes 10 all In the 18th cen.
Jury in the motto which bis name To-
spires, that the "bird In the bush is
worth two in the hsnd." His beautiful
face iIlumined with Joy Is turned. mp
ward In an attitude OF listeniug-yes-
listening to the "Csll of the Robip."
Would it not be fitting return for the
compliment paid by Louisiana TO Vir'
ginia in selecting her gifted son to carry
ont this design to give as our heart de-
sire-protection for our red breasts.
KATHERINE q. STUART,
Secretary, Virginia Audubon School,
7l9 Kingstreet, Alexsndris, Vs.