Birds of Oregon and Washington 243 



this care and interest. In Worcester, Mass., in 

 one district where the care and protection of 

 birds have been taught to and inspired in the 

 children of a public school, vandalism has ceased 

 among the boys. They are busy providing bird- 

 boxes, watching for nests in the trees, guarding 

 the fledglings against cats, etc., and their hearts 

 have softened meanwhile. Were it only a meas- 

 ure for taming and civilizing boys, the taming of 

 birds would be worth while. 



But what a ministry of delight do these angels 

 of song and grace bring to old and young, when 

 once we have taken them under our care ! " Let 

 but a bird — that being so free and uncontrolled, 

 which with one stroke of the wing puts space 

 between you and himself — let him but be willing 

 to draw near and conclude a friendship with you, 

 and lo, how your heart is moved!" — Mme. 

 Michelet. 



As remarked in another place in this book, 

 song-birds seek the company, the protection and 

 the friendship of man. And when these are 

 given, the birds sing and fly with a freedom, con- 

 fidence, and even affection, that are impossible 

 while they live near us in fear and suspicion. 



