448 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Qri^itliolooy. 



BIRD STUDY. 



MKS. LOUISE SAMSON, MINNEAPOLIS. 



"The world is too much with us, late and soon, 

 Getting and spending, we lay waste^otir powers, 

 Little we see in Nature that is ours. 

 We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon." 



So Wordsworth saj^s, and how true it is. 



When we look around on this beautiful and bountiful earth, where 

 the term of this human life is to be spent, we wonder that that life 

 should so often be so devoid of jo3^. It would seem that mankind 

 in general are blind, voluntarily blind, to much that mig-ht cheer 

 and help. Surely a love for nature, cherished and cultivated throuo-h 

 all one's life, is one of the surest means of rising above this grovel- 

 ling way of living to which the inajority seem prone. It keeps us 

 simple in our tastes, healthy in body and mind and lets us grow old 

 in a inuch sweeter and more natural way. 



A love for and an interest in the natural tilings around us sliould 

 form part of our love to God; we should value them for the wonder- 

 ful things in their structure and workings, which show how great 

 He is who made them. This is true with regard to all parts of 

 nature's kingdom, but it seems especially so with regard to the 

 birds. They are exceedinglj^ interesting to us. The advantage 

 which their power of flight gives them, the attractiveness of their 

 songs, the beauty of their plumage, deservedly place them high up 

 in the order of natural life. Even man exclaims, "Oh! had I the 

 wings of a bird!" 



How much would the naturalist give to have the e5'es, and advant- 

 ages of locomotion of a bird! These migratory visitants go over 

 such large portions of our broad land, and could tell him where all 

 the rare flowers and insects for which he so assiduouslj^ hunts, 

 could be found. Thej^ witness the most varied and beautiful scenes 

 for the painter's brush; they know from afar the dreaded cyclone's 

 approach; in fact, they are the "traveled" portion of the animal 

 creation. Because they are made to be thus untrammelled and free 

 in their inotions, it seems so cruel to cage them. Far better to cul- 

 .tivate a friendl}^ acquaintance with them in their own free, natural 

 way of living and gain their confidence bj' protecting- and helping- 

 them all we can. Man has taken such a different course with them, 

 that it will need uncounted seasons of good treatment to overcome 

 their timidity with us. 



The farmer should, above all others, seek this friendly alliance, for 

 he so much needs their help. Had he no birds on his grounds to 

 destroj' his insect eneinies, it seems to me he would find their 

 swarming armies too much for him. Why should he begrudge 

 robin or waxwing- the few strawberries or currants thej' feast on? 



