A MIDSUMMER EXCURSION 273 



at any time, regardless of the law, merely for the sake 

 of money-making." 



" Is there a law about killing birds ? " asked Nat. 



" Certainly. All really civilized States have their 

 game-laws, and I hope the time is near when all our 

 States Avill unite in this matter. Where there is a cfood 

 law no wild bird or beast, even those which are suitable 

 and intended for food, may be killed in its nesting or 

 breeding season, or for some time afterward. Also, 

 these creatures must only be killed by fair hunting, not 

 with snares or traps or by any foul means ; and even 

 fishes are thus protected against wanton or excessive 

 destruction." 



"But if there is a law is some places and not in others, 

 why don't the birds that travel get shot when they go 

 about ? " asked Rap. 



"They do, my boy, and that is the pity of it. Some 

 people seem to think there are so many birds in this 

 great country that they cannot be killed out ; and others 

 are brutal, or do not think at all, but kill for the sake 

 of killing. The worst of it is that little or no protec- 

 tion is given the poor birds in the warm countries Avhere 

 they spend the winter. Thrushes are shot for pot-pie, 

 all the gayly colored birds are killed for their feathers, 

 and flocks of doves are slain to see how many a man 

 can hit in a day ! 



" Olaf says the Meadowlarks are raising their second 

 brood now and he can find you some em[)ty nests, if 

 you go with him, so you can see how they are made; 

 he will show you the Redwings' nests, too. You boys 

 may take off your shoes and stockings ; and ^liss Dodo, 

 being a girl, shall ride on Olaf's shoulder." 



