The S laughter of the Innocent. 129 



thoughtless and unconscious one. Perhaps our sensibilities 

 have been dulled by the continual slaughter of other creat- 

 ures going on around us, a necessary accompaniment of 

 modern life. The world is crowded, and the inferior crea- 

 tion must yield us food and clothing, strength and comfort. 

 However, we raise more beeves, sheep, poultry and silk- 

 worms, and in far better condition than characterizes a wild 

 state. To a certain extent, we ourselves provide that we 

 consume, and thereby gain an added, right in its use. The 

 principal fur-bearing animals, too, stand on a different and 

 lower plane from our feathered friends. The fox pounces 

 upon wild turkeys, partridges and pheasants in their nests. 

 He likes to visit the farm yard in search of poultry and 

 eggs. Lynxes and martens even climb trees in pursuit of 

 birds. The mink feeds largely on marsh birds, and is also 

 an active depredator in the poultry yard. When in them^ 

 naturalists discover virtues enough to overbalance such 

 tricks, mercy will become our duty, though what contrib- 

 utes to warmth and comfort can ever take precedence of 

 that which is decorative only. There are numerous substi- 

 tutes for birds in millinery. Silk pompons and ostrich 

 plumes are graceful. Ostriches are carefully and tenderly 

 reared. Their plucking is probably no more painful than 

 shoeing a horse. The beautiful feather bands, manufactured 

 from ,poultry down involve no additional loss of life, but 

 utilize another product of creatures already destined for 

 food. 



To save and restore our birds, concert of action is needed. 

 They will be relieved from long flights under a mid-day 

 sun, if some trees are left when clearino: land, and others 

 set along streets and line fences. The choke -cherry and 

 black cherry are especially beloved. Wild animals go with 

 the soil. A farmer can claim as his property, the birds 

 nesting on his trees, and obtain legal redress from hunters 

 who, without permission, start and catch, within h is domain, 

 other game than noxious beasts of prey, like wolves and 

 foxes. At least Iowa, New York and New Jersey, have ne w 

 and special laws for bird protection; Wisconsin is consider- 

 ing more stringent measures. A list, distinguishing valu- 

 9-H. 



