of the thrush family. The early settlers gave 
the name robin because of his red breast which 
reminded them of the red breast of their much 
loved English robin. 
The robin and the bluebird rear two families 
each in a season, and with favoring conditions 
often three. Their diet is mostly insectiverous, 
noxious insects, destructive to growing crops, 
and our fruit and forest trees. 
These birds will daily consume their weight 
in food of which eighty-five per cent. of that of 
the robin and sixty-five per cent. of the blue- 
bird is made up of destructive insects. All in- 
sectiverous birds are extremely helpful to man 
in the problems of food and “ what with all shall 
we wear.” 
Why are we so universally uninformed regard- 
ing the utility of our birds? Are birds a divine 
creation? If a divine creation, were they created 
for esthetical or divine purpose? If for a divine 
purpose, why are we so regardlessly destructive 
of the divine will and purpose? What is your 
answer, oh man? 
Behold this an emblem true 
Of man’s capricious way, 
Who, when affliction clouds his way, 
Bows the stiff heart to pray; 
But when his sun is up and bright, 
Will in his gifts the heavenly giver slight. 
The tree sparrows have been quite numerous 
here in Pine Hills this winter. They came last 
fall just as our summer birds were winging their 
81 
