Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-09-11
NEW VOL. 48-No. So.

Will our people never learn that in fight
ing pests the birds are worth ten times
more TO men than all the poisons, sprays.
and traps that ever were invented or
used?
We can not spray our forests; and il
the wild birds do not protect them from
insects nothing will. II you will watch
warbler collecting the insects out of
the top of 70-foot forest oak, busy as
bee hour after hour, II will convince you
that the birds do for the forests that
which man with all his resources can not
accomplish. You viii then realize that
TO this country every woodpecker, chick
adee, titmouse. creeper. and warbler is
easily worth ifs weight in gold.
What happens when the birds are de-
stroyed is well shown in an article in the
Geological Society Bulletin for January.
1909, from Richard Walter Tomalin, Of
Sydney, New South Wales.
In the subdistricts of Robertson and
kangaloon, in the lllawana district OF
New South Wales, what 10 years ago
was waving mass Of English cockstoot
and rye grass, which had been put in
gradually as the dense vine scrub was
felled and burnt off. is now barren des-
ert, and 9 families out Of every 10 which
were renting properties have been COM
PEELED 10 leave the district and take up
other lands. This is through the grubs
having eaten out the grass by the roots.
Flowing proved to be useless, as the
grubs ATE out the grass just the same.
Whilst there recently was informed
that il took three years from the time the
grubs were first seen until to-day 10 ac-
complish this complete devastation; in
other words, three years ago the grubs
began work in the beautiful country OF
green mountains and running streams.
The birds had all been ruthlessly shot
and destroyed in that district, and | was
amazed at the absence OF bird life.
Prof. de Loach tells us that
Birds afford natural check upon the
injurious insects, and wherever forests
denote the presence Of great numbers OF
destructive caterpillars or grasses indi-
cate that grubs are destroying the grass
roots the birds are not slow 10 assemble
and help restore equilibrium.
He further says:
Our native birds are one OF The na-
tions most valuable assets. Destroy
them, and in comparatively short time
the insects will have multiplied 10 such
an extent that trees will be denuded OF
their foliage. plants will cease 10 thrive,
and crops can not be raised.
Whoever will take the trouble 10 study
the birds is sure TO become strong de-
lender OF them. Not only do they work
ceaselessly in mans interests, but they
exert an influence on his life that brings
him into harmony and closer touch with
all nature. With glad song they fill his
world with brightness and Joy and give
ornament and motion 10 the land. Our
woods and fields would indeed be dull
and silent without them.
Audubon, the greatest ornithologist the
world ever produced, travelled 10 The
desolate coast OF Labrador 10 study bird
life, and there "was far happier than any
king ever was" His writings are termed
by critics "the greatest monument that
art ever erected TO nature" II is said
that $50 enthusiastic was he and such a
master Of English that many Of his de-
sciptions are poems"
Burroughs and other writer's have
written OF The birds In a popular way
and have done immense good In getting
everyday people interested in their life
and hibits. And after all. II is the COOP
Grafton Of everyday people that we seek.
In fact, il is that very class this measure
aims 10 restrain. We should educate
every American TO understand that our
real friends are the birds and that II Is as
foolish and harmful 10 hurt or destroy
them as il would be to cut off our fingers.
shall vote Tor this measure, and ] hope
that those who prize the welfare OF our
agricultural communities and all lovers
OF nature will vote for II also. II Is a
tardy step toward protecting these chill
dren OF the fields and forest who, during
the long years they have been the OBJ
jects of our terocity and the recipients OF
our ingratitude, have never ceased to
work faithfully for US. A happy day has
come when man has at last opened his
eyes TO the beauty and worth Of these
little creatures which Providence, In It's
infinite wisdom, placed here TO do the
important work for which they were
created. Not only do they perform a
work most essential TO mans material
wsll-being, but give pleasure to his eyes
and music 10 his ears.