Nature's First Law 



year, there should now be any birds left. But so 

 rapidly has public sentiment in favour of protection 

 developed, in the last decade especially, that there is 

 already a perceptible increase in the numbers of 

 birds around our homes. "The earnest expectation 

 of the creature" has not waited wholly in vain "for 

 the manifestation of the sons of God." 



"No longer now the winged habitants 

 That in the woods their sweet lives sing away, 

 Flee from the form of man ; but gather round 

 And preen their sunny feathers on the hands 

 Which little children stretch in friendly sport 

 Toward dreadless partners of their play. 

 . ., . .' _. ' . . ' . . Happiness 

 And science dawn, though late, upon the earth." 



We are wont to think of altruism as confined to 

 the human species alone. Many conspicuously 

 berutiful birds even those brilliant targets for the 

 gun and sling-shot, the Baltimore oriole, the scarlet 

 tanager and the cardinal risk their lives to carry 

 dainties to brooding mates and help them rear the 

 young. The rose-breasted grosbeak, frequently let- 

 ting chivalry get the better of prudence, actually 

 sits on the nest to relieve his plain little sparrow- 

 like spouse. 



A CHANGE OF CLOTHES 



Fine feathers having been given many male 

 birds for courting purposes only, why should not 

 some of the hunted creatures seek protection in 

 quiet clothes when the nesting season ends? Many 

 do. All birds undergo at least one molt a year; 

 those that put on a special wedding garment must 

 molt twice. 



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