A PLEA FOR THE BIRDS 



ONE object of a garden should be to provide a 

 home for the birds; a home where they can be 

 protected and cared for, and where they will come 

 to delight the family and the neighbors. The 

 sight of a bird or the notes of its song is always a 

 source of pleasure. No one with even the slight- 

 est degree of responsiveness in his nature can help 

 being benefited by close contact with these little 

 friends of mankind. There are some thirteen 

 thousand different species of birds known to 

 science, but not with all of these are the ornitholo- 

 gist generally familiar, hence bird life is ever an 

 exhaustive study. Every season of the year finds 

 some birds in every section of the country, though 

 the great majority journey to southern climes with 

 the coming of the winter months. 



Some seventy-five years ago John James Audu- 

 bon worked practically alone and single-handed in 

 this country to protect the birds. He was ridi- 

 culed of course, as all organizers of new movements 

 are, but so great was his love for the birds that he 



308 



