83 



Let a well-known writer describe in print any locality in Massa- 

 chusetts where rare or interesting birds are to be found, and 

 soon some of his readers will be upon the ground. 



Possibly, however, the greatest boon that the study of birds 

 can confer upon man is seen in the power of the bird-lover to 

 keep his spirit young. One who in early years is attracted to 

 the study of birds will find that with them he always renews 

 his youth. Each spring the awakening year encompasses him 

 with a flood of joyous bird life. Old friends are they who greet 

 him, and they come as in the days of childhood, bringing 

 tidings of good cheer. Years roll on, the days of youth are 

 gone, the head becomes bowed with sorrow and frosted by the 

 snows of time, the strong hand trembles, the friends of youth 

 have passed away, but each returning spring the old familiar 

 bird songs come back to us, unchanged by the passing years. 

 Let us, then, teach our children to love and protect the birds, 

 that these familiar friends of their childhood may remain to 

 cheer them with song and beauty when, toward the sunset of 

 life, the shadows will grow long upon the pathway. 



