BIRDS 



the insects a chance to increase, and so the pendulum 

 of Nature swings to and fro until man spreads over 

 the land and begins tilling the soil. Finding certain 

 species of birds are taking some slight payment in 

 grain or fruit for their immensely valuable services, 

 he foolishly begins a war of extermination upon birds 

 generally. Apart from any damage the birds may 

 do, it is a practice common in all newly-developed 

 countries for colonists to destroy the native birds for 

 the pot, and often for 

 no other reason than to 

 gratify the brutal desire 

 to kill, which is inherited 

 from our remote bar- 

 barian cave-dwelling 

 ancestors. Nay ! we do 

 our primitive ancestors a 

 grievous wrong in mak- 

 ing this comparison. 



They hunted and killed animals and birds for food 

 and raiment, impelled by dire necessity. We, on the 

 contrary, kill for the mere lust of killing. 



When a boy or youth acquires a gun, he invariably 

 sallies forth seeking " something to kill." He knows 

 no better, for his parents and teachers have not taught 

 him that animals and birds are warm-blooded creatures 

 with nervous systems as sensitive to pain as ours, 

 and that they love, mate, rear families, and live lives 

 of greater wisdom and usefulness than many of the 

 men who foolishly believe they have the moral right to 

 persecute and murder them at will. 



27 



The Caterpillar defoliates our shrubs 

 and trees. The bird is its enemy. 



