188 Mississippi Valley Horticultural Society. 



In the spring, with sad hearts, we say adieu to the little Esquimaux of the 

 winter, for we open the window and liberty is his. Sometimes he returns to 

 his roost in the bay-window several times before taking his final departure, 

 for we allow him to go out and come in as he pleases; at last he goes away 

 into the great world. Our hearts always go out in gratitude to the little 

 stranger of the winter that has brought nothing but sunshine, grace and 

 beauty into a household. The black-throated titmice are exclusively North- 

 ern birds. They range from the Arctic to Maryland — no further South I 

 believe. The titmice are diligent workers when looking for food. They 

 live largely upon the larva and eggs of insects. 



I would like to call the attention of the horticulturist to this bird ; if we are 

 to have foreign birds introduced into our country, let birds of this family 

 find a place, for they are entirely beneficial. The birds of which I have 

 made mention are insectiverous with the exception, perhaps, of the English 

 sparrow. They destroy myriads of insects, worms, and flies that are doing 

 -great harm to our fruits, flowers, and vegetables. The good that a single 

 pair of these birds confers upon the country in a single year is incalculable. 



The American shrike, or butcher bird, should be well known to the horti- 

 culturist, for it is the great destroyer of our birds. It is said to possess the 

 faculty of imitating the notes of other birds for the purpose of decoying 

 them -within its reach, then dart suddenly into the thicket nnd bear off the 

 body of some deluded victim. It is said to eat only the brain. It then im- 

 pales its victim upon a thorn or other sharj) point. Probably the victim is 

 thus preserved to appease hunger in case of an emergency ; but this part of 

 their history is not known. The shrike nests in the far North, but inhabits 

 Eastern, Middle, and Southern States. They are birds of good size, color 

 mostly gray, wings and head coal black, breast light gray and white. 



The blue jay is a well-known bird. It belongs exclusively to North 

 America, and is cousin to the shrike. Its brilliant plumage, large size, at • 

 tractive form, and shrill cry, render it prominent over the Northern States. 

 We can but admire this beautiful bird in winter when other birds are gone, 

 for he gives a bit of color and life to the landscape that is most delightful. 

 But away with him, we say, for he is a pirate and marauder. He delights in 

 breaking the eggs of other birds, and picking the bones of the young. He 

 cares not for the severity of winter, and is seldom found frozen. In autiunn 

 he deposits in the thickets, fence corners, and other convenient places, food 

 for winter. 



Horticulturists who are interested in the birds should be guardians of 

 them, and do what can be done for their preservation and protection, for they 

 are "fellow citizens of our farms and hamlets;" therefore if it be necessary 

 to make laws protecting them, let that be done. Let us prevent the whole- 

 sale slaughter of our valuable birds and water fowls by heedless men and 

 boys, who care but little for the future good of our country. 



I fancy I hear a voice saying, you dwell u])on the the bird's uses and beau- 



