Laurel outlook., 1945-04-18
CLUB PROGRAM TELLS
OF BIRD LIFE, VALUE

major portion of the program wher
the Laurel Woman's club met Mon
dav with Mrs. P. A. Johnston. Roll
call responses were the naming of
birds from each members home
state. Later, Mrs. Johnston spoke
at some length on Birds"
Mrs. Marion Crawford reported
on the progress being made with the
war relief clothing drive.
It was voted to dispense with par
ticipation in the district No. 6 scho-
larship project.
Mrs. c.. l.. Morris, Mrs. Campbell
Calvert and Mrs. S. S. Bliss were
named to the auditing committee.
"Birds appeal strongly to the in
terest and affection of mankind"
Mrs. Johnston said, quoting in part.
"Not only do they charm by their
graceful forms, harmonious colors,
sprightly actions and usually pleas
ing notes, but they have an even
more important claim upon u
esteem because of their great econo-
mic value. For economic as well as
for esthetic reasons therefore an eff
fort should be made to attract and
protect birds and to increase their
numbers.
at should be remembered that
birds have a life, a point of view
and a destiny of their own, and
that our failure to comprehend
them in no way justifies US in
concluding that they are in every
sense below us in the scale of ex-
That they are inferior in
many ways we have a right to be-
lieve, but we should be eager to
recognize the qualities in which they
Qualities and occupations in the
human world have a parallel in the
bird world. They fill all the pro-
LESSONS from street cleaners to
They have labor unions
md military organizations. They
lave a distinct social life and build
he best equipped and most artistic
ZONES of all non-human beings.
They entertain extensively and have
~onvivial gatherings. Their family
ife is exceptionally moral, though
here are a few polygamists among
hem. Divorce is rare, but suicide |.
5 often the natural outcome of deep
isgrace. |;
There are birds of as many
hades of character and disposition
S there are types of people. There
re the gay, the sad, the sociable,
ne reserved, the trustful, the shy, !
rank, deceitful, the honest, dishon-
st, gentle, violent, the peaceful, the =,
u~arrelsome, and so on. AS a rule !
My sick birds, a few nocturnal
irds and the carrion birds are
"Birds do practically everything
lat nan does and have been doing
lings for thousands of years which
is doubtful that he will ever do.
hey have an unerring Judgment
I'd knowledge of the mysterious
I'd trackless spaces of the air that1
e still to man an unsolved marvel.
arrier pigeons raised in a coop
I'd released after a journey of g.
10 miles will return to their start
g point. A robin, confined in a
ge seven years, upon being set
ee flew Is miles to it's former
Mature gave US birds as a natur-
combative force against the
wages of insects. The native birds
America are worth millions upon
illions of dollars yearly for the
rvice they give in destroying in
protecting gardens and fruits.
ing before we are astir in the
they have been at work
ting cutworms and other devour-
3 pests. Besides the insects, they
nsume thousands of tons of weed
eds. Upon examination it is
md they feed almost entirely on
'ects, some seeds and occasional
on fruits such as cherries and
Miss Linda Johnston favored the
b ladies with two piano selec-
ms, Paderewski's "Minuet" and
Americana"
At the next meeting, Monday
" 7, at Mrs. B. L. Prices home
re will be installation of officers
/ a tea.