Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-09-11
WHAT WE OWE THE BIRDS.

L
the bill TO give governmental protection
to certain birds:
MIR. Speaker, am particularly interest
ed in that provision in this measure Civ
ing the protection of the Federal Govern
ment 10 certain migratory game and in
sectivorous birds. II is an act OF long,
delayed Justice toward the birds that
awakens within me memories OF youth,
recalling painful incident OF boyhood,
in which my attention was first directed
to the thoughtless cruelties practiced on
these little feathered friends, who add
beauty and life 10 our fields and forests
and perform an indispensable service in
every agricultural community.
In my home in Baltimore have stat
lie entitled "His First Sorrow" II is
the figure of small boy. holding in out
stretched hand the limp and lifeleSs form
of little bird. on which he gazes with
pathetic grief, while down his cheeks
course bitter tears. The boyiSh counte-
nance expresses an emotion beautiful TO
behold. II typifies an affection deep and
lasting, which should naturally exist be-
tween the children of men and the chill
dren of the forests.
| remember when small lad on our
old homestead in Anne Arundel county
family OF wrens built nest under the
caves of the rail corn house near the
pump. Every year We looked forward
10 their coming and every year they or
their descendants appeared regularly, oc-
cupying their pleasant quarters. raising
an interesting family OF young. We boys
on the farm became quite familiar with
the wrens; we grew TO regard them as
friends and would look into their nest,
count the little eggs deposited there, and
then admire the open-mouthed, hungry
nestlings which finally emerged from the
tiny shells. And the wrenS, never being
disturbed by us, did not appear TO mind
our familiarity in the least.
One hot summer day my brother and |,
with small colored boy, who was our
inSeparable companion, were walking
along when suddenly Mrs. Wren flew out
and lit on one OF the rails OF the corn
house. Almost simultaneously we three
boys each caught up stone and threw
it at her. Our aim was all too true. Poor
Mrs. Wren dropped Imply in her tracks.
| can yet remember the look of terror and
dismay which came upon the faces of my
brother and our colored companion as
| we beheld the fatal result OF Our act We
knew that in the nest she had just left
there was a family OF little wrens too
young to feed themselves, who would
wait in vain for their mothers return.
We tried by every means in our power
TO revive Mrs. Wren, but our efforts were
unavailing. Too late we realized the
tragedy Of which we had been the au-
thor.
| do not recall any act OF my life attend
ed with more poignant sorrow than my
participation in this thoughtlesS crime OF
boyhood. With tear stained faces we
gazed at one another and the dead body
of the mother bird lying before us. Then,
as though moved by common impulse,
the three OF us dropped on our knees and
prayed forgiveness for having murdered |
Mrs. Wren and brought this calamity on
h or tlty / n 4. Il
the little Wrens, for we were too ashamed |
10 ever mention our wanton act CT cruel |
ty to anyone, nor did we ever look into
the wren'S nest to see what became of
her helpless little ones.
But the death OF that mother wren was
not in vain. The enormity OF our offenSe
was so thoroughly impressed on three
young minds that never again was one of
us guilty of like wrougdoing, and | am
proud that ever afterwards my role was
that OF protectors Of the birds instead of
destroyer OF them. On my farm, Twin
Oaks" at Linthicum Heights, in Anne
Arundle county, there is small forest
inhabited by birds, and | would almost
as soon see my own cattle mistreated as
these feathered friends who sojourn with
me each year, adding beauty TO my place,
doing most important work in destroy
insects, and enlivening the landscape with
their sw eet melody.
AS grow older learned the value OF
the birds. found that they served a far
more useful end than that of pleasing Or
naments and rich music makers. came
to understand how God created the world
and all living things, giving man domin-
ion over all, and how the birds, through
destroying the insects, did most neces-
sary work and were of inestimable value
to mankind. | saw that if there were no
birds the worms and other insects would
soon multiply so rapidly that they would
destroy the vegetation OF the earth and if
would be impossible for the farmer to
raise his crops.
Now, Mr.. Speaker, shall be brief in
stating my views upon this measure,
WHICH oealS win problem vital 10 agrl-
cultural communities.
The provision now under discussion
now aims TO give the protection OF the
national government TO migratory birds
during the breeding season. 1t has been
shown that much good has followed the
enactment OF similar laws by many States
of the Union. Those urging the present
measure justly assume that if good has
come from State legislation along this
line, far greater good will follow The en-
actment and enforcement of this law by
our national government.
The protection of the wild life of our
country is OF the utmost importance.
Who auono i,s does not remember fha