Year: 1869

Birds.


The agricultural societies of Germany have
had their attention repeatedly called during
the past year to the Importance of insect-eat-
ing birds in rural economy. The German
Society for the Protection of Animals, has
taken up the subject in earnest. and is MAX
ing preparations for an exhibition OF artificial
nests for the birds when premium will be
given for the best model. We deem it quite
unnecessary TO prepare nests for our birds.
All that is necessary is to furnish safe place
for the nests and the birds will build better
ones than we can. These beautiful and use
full creatures are often troubled to find places
where they dare to build their nests. The
robins, sparrows, wrens, swallows, martins
and some other birds often look to us for pro-
lection and build their nests near houses so
that they may be secure against hawks and
other ravenous birds O. prey. These birds
may be accommodated with good places if
farmers and gardeners would only think of ii.
There are many ways in which they. y.may be
assisted and their character and habits will
suggest them to thoughtful persons.


We haye kno~n some farmers and gardeners
who have interested themselves in behalf OF
the birds and supplied them with suitable
places for thel~ nest where they could bring
up fheir little am lies IN comfort and safety.
Bute taen tneir numbers are by no means
arge. We have also known some boys who
would take pride in protecting the birds and
feeding them; but we have known more who
would rob their nests, throw stones at them
and beat them cruelty in various ways. We
have seen Toys this spring in our city almost
raving and distracted when they saw robins
in a tree or on the ground, and the stones
would be hurled at them fast and furious
The blood-thirsty little rascals exercised ali
their wits in devising some way to put an end
to them. 1t seemed as il they couldn't bear
to see the birds have any chance for living.
Some two weeks ago two robins had courted
and mutually agreed to spend the summer
months together and rear family. They
had proceeded so far as to select tree for
their nest, upon the topmost branches of
which they sang their morning orisons for
some days, happy in anticipation OF the do
mestic joys they might have in raising fami-
ly of little ones, and in caring for them until
they could take care of themselves. But lit
tie incarnate devils came, and by frequent
stoning drove them 10 some other locality
where they could live in safety and peace.
We had driven these scamps away several
times, but they would again return to their
cruel work. We hope our police officers will
take these young urchins in hand whenever
they see them stoning birds.


We have also known children of a larger
growth-sportsmen perhaps, they would
fancy themselves-go into the pastures and
fields in the vicinity and shoot birds on the
ground and in the trees, never on the wing
for that mode of shooting was quite beyond
their reach. If such sportsmen would only
fire at birds on the wing, we think but a
precious few would ever be brought down.
1t is shame and sin for boys, or young
men, TO engage in such sport. We have no
patience with such shooting, and those who
practice it might be better employed If
proper care were taken of these beautiful
songsters, and boys and young men would
cease their miserable sport, birds in town and
country would rapidly increase and farmers
would receive great benefit flom them. If
ever we wish to see the old whipping-post
erected it is when we see birds wantonly and
cruelty shot down. We have known the ras-
Gals to shoot at birds on their nestsl That is
the lowest,most degrading sport young man
can be guilty of, and such culprits deserve
the lash while tied to the whipping post.


We are glad to know that our birds are at
| tracing more attention, and their safety and
protection are more thought of than in years
past. We can have ten times the number OF
birds we now have if we will only treat them
kindly and show ourselves to be their good
friends. Let parents teach their children to
love birds and chastise them severely wher
they are found shooting them or robbins
their nests. A single pair of birds in gar
cen would do a vast deal of good by destroy
ing worms and insects. Birds are early risers
and often catch the worms ere the instinct Of
the creeping things teaches them to bury them
selves in the earth. Protect the birds and
the birds will protect your young and tender
| plants.


AGRICoLA.