The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-06-09
SCOUT NEWS
D 8 o . 9 o o o o Q o o . . o Q

o 8 8 8 9 9 8 9 o o O @ o o o 9
1t is interesting to note that as
result fthe bird-box campaign, seY-
eral of the scouts have reported that
their boxes were occupied, and broods
safely brought off. We can help the
birds so much by building and erect
ing homes FOR them, and by doing this
we gain not only the beauty Of their
presence about our homes, but they
destroy great numbers of harmful IN
sects which would play havoc with
our gardens. In addition to our
common birds, there are many others
who would be our friends if given
half a chance 4 little encourage
ment and protection from unjust and
unnecessary killing and nest-robbing,
and the birds demonstrate their WORT
and economic Importance by vislbly
reducing the destruction caused by
harmful insects.
Do you complain that the birds
eat your cherries and other fruit?
Plant a mulberry tree and your other
fruit is safe. The mulberry is
adapted to the birds taste in having
very soft pulp and in being exceed
ingly digestible by the young birds.
A mulberry tree is a fine place to
observe the birds also. Besides such
nests as those of the brown thrasher,
cardinal, catbird and mocking bird
which are quite common within our
city limits. / have seen those CT the
summer tanager, wood thrush,
mourning dove, orchard orio3e, and
even that of the WOOD pewee, within
the heart of the town. Doubtless
some folks are not aware that such
birds exist, but who, after having
heard the babbling, lively song Of the
orchard oriole, or having seen its
trim, shapely nest, woven entirely OF
grasses, could wish to kill it Or harm
its nest? Or who, after having heard
the deep, rich, melodious strains OF
the wood thrush, in some dark cool
place where it's notes re-echoed to a
gentle-eyed mate brooding the pref
ty blue eggs in the mud nest saddled
on a limb, could. want to kill it, SIM
ply because it happens to be bird?
The nest of the summer tanager IS
a somewhat frail structure contain
ing the bluish-green brown speckled
eggs. The wood thrush's nest is built
of mud and straw plastered together,
and lined with soft rootlets. A Pc
culiarity about this bird is the fact
that it always uses piece Of paper
in the construction of its nest, and
one bird got a piece of paper on its
nest bearing these words, "House to
let"
The wood pewee's nest is a fine
creation of moss and lichens saddled
on a limb and containing the white
and dark speckled eggs.
= All these nests are to be found
about our homes, ard many more,
and the pleasure gained by watching
The birds and nests is more than
enough to atone for the fruit that
they take. But, as | have said, to
avoid the birds taking valuable fruit,
plant a mulberry tree.
Good people, consider what little
harm, if any, the birds do, and the
enormous good which they accom-
plish, ard join with US scouhs in an
effort to give the birds adequate pro-
lection, sufficient encouragement, and
we shall preserve to future genera
tons not only more beautiful city,
because of the good work of the
birds, but by ceasing cur wanton
slaughter we shall be preserving to
posterity species which, at the pres
ent rate of reduction in Newberry,
Will have ceased to exist long before
our children could enjoy their bene-
fits. We have no rigt2 to deprive the
coming generation of benefits and
pleasures which we ourselves enjoy.