The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-02-17
FEED THE HUNGRY BIRDS
For What They Get They VIII Give
Abundant Compensation.

That as a Nation we are awakint
to the fact that sprays and emulsion'
are utterly inadequate to hold IL
check the ever-increasing army OF IN
sect pests is evidenced by the bill
which passed the United States Sen
ate a few days ago prohibiting, undei
penalty, the destruction of migratory
f, and .insectivorous birds. No mere
sentiment has prompted this bill, but
a stern. If somewhat tarde, realiza
ton of the fact that the yearly
slaughter of such birds has left our
forests, orchards and gardens wholly
at the mercy of insects and gruDs,
which multiply with incredible ra'
pidity when their natural enemies,
the birds, are removed.
We approve this protection by our
Government, negative in that II
merely provides that the birds may
live, but do we realize that it lies
within the power of each OF us to sup
plement it by the more positive pro-
lection of giving to those about US
the wherewithal to live when their
natural food supply is low? How
small a percentage of those who
through the Summer days enjoy the
songs and twitterings of birds, their
frolics and their quarrels, give
thought to the little mites and how
they are faring when Winters SHOWS
cover field and highway!
While the majority of the birds go
South before cold weather cuts off
their supply of seed and insects, a
surprisingly large number elect to
stay with us and brighten the weary
season of Winter. 1t is hard heart
that can view unmoved these merry
bohemians that have Toasted and sung
through the sunny hours, with no
thought of the morrow, now blown
like withered leaves before the wind
or huddled together in silent groups
on the leafless branches.
Is it more than a just return for
the pleasure their presence brings to
exc out their scanty fare with a few
crumbs scattered from the table, or
If no kindly sense of justice actuates
the deed, will not prudent fore
prompt one to help through
the Winter the busy workers who n
the garden and orchard of innumer-
able insects and weeds? The num-
Der of bugs which bird can devour
is almost unbelievable. as many as
three hundred cutworms have been
counted ~ - stomach OF one robin,
and as they are constantly eating and
feeding hungry broods. the service
they render is very great.
But little time is required to hang
up a strip of suet on tree or post,
well out of the way of lurking puss-
les, or TO scatter a few crumbs or
waste bird seed in a sheltered spot.
The sharp eyes quickly discover the
bits, and down the little fell
lows drop cautiously from limb to
limb, with ear cooked to catch the
slightest sound of danger. Having
coaxed them thus far, 1t is very easy
to lure them still nearer the house by
spreading the banquet on the window
ledge or balcony, where you may be
assured of a merry company at all
hours of the day. Utterly out of
to the small labor entalled
is the pleasure derived from this free
lunch counter, and many a weary
shut-in has found a new world of in
terest opening up before him as he
learns to recognize and watch for the
different birds who so trusingly ac-
cept his bounty. Transcript.