AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 181 



Other Warblers lisped of the terror in the air, and a dainty Magnolia 

 Warbler testified of his daily fear, as boys had thrown stones into a 

 flock of his mates who were gathering insects from some shrubbery. 



Some brown birds — Mrs. Blue Bunting, Mrs. Song Sparrow and Mrs. 

 Grosbeak — told of suffering among their relatives, caused by boys who 

 "only shot English Sparrows," and in soft twitterings some bank vSwal- 

 told how their roofs had crumbled down beneath rough feet above them. 



There were many similar harrowing tales and I think that then and 

 there the birds would have voted to remove far from the haunts of men, 

 leaving our homes birdless, had not a bustling Chickadee flown forward; 

 all paused to hear what counsel this cheery sprite had brought. 



Shaking his head, Chickadee said, "You are too severe upon the boys, 

 they are not such brutal and unjust animals as this mass of testimony 

 would indicate. They are simply thoughtless, if the matter is but put 

 before them in its true light they will treat us with fairness. Show 

 them the good times they can have by making friends instead of 

 frightening us; show them the immense number of insects, worms and 

 grubs we destroy; show them how we brighten the earth by our songs 

 and beauty, what marvelous weavers, masons, carpenters and other 

 artisans there are among us, and you will surely find these boys have 

 common sense and warm hearts, and would become our protectors in- 

 stead oi persecutors.'" 



"Nay! Nay! "croaked a cross Blue Jay," It is easy enough for Sir 

 Chickadee to talk for no boy would ever harm a Chickadee. Had he 

 suffered what zee had, he would lose his faith in boys." 



The Chickadee breathed a soft sigh, and whispered, "Not many weeks 

 ago, my wife was killed by a stone thrown by a heedless boy, yet in 

 spite of this, I believe they do not intend to be cruel, and I move, Mr. 

 Chairman, that a report of this meeting be sent to Meg Merrythought, 

 that it may be read by the boys and give them a chance to put them- 

 selves on a right footing in Bird Land." 



The birds with one accord agreed that this was but fair play, and with 

 a great flapping of wings, the motion was unanimously carried, and a 

 Tanager in livery of scarlet and black, was commissioned to carry an 

 account of the convention for "Bird Chats." 



As the factory whistles blew, I met the courier, and have written 

 down his message for you as best I could. 



If you have any doubt as to the truth of this account, come to Water- 

 bury within the next two months and I will show you the identical Scarlet 

 Tanager who will speak for himself, and I pray you, all fairminded youth, 

 heed his message. 



