(55) 



A gentleman of this city said, that the thieving habits 

 of the birds had lessened his admiration of them. I 

 suspect that much of our want of appreciation of the birds 

 making their homes among our garden fruit trees and 

 shrubbery, comes from our inveterate selfishness. They 

 guard our choicest fruits from spring till autumn, destroy- 

 ing millions of insects that otherwise would puncture and 

 deposit eggs in the grape, cherry, and other kinds. It 

 looks to me very much like ingratitude to begrudge them a 

 grape or cherry in their season, and especially so, since 

 they prefer those that have worms in them, and even 

 if they take those which are sound, who could blame them 

 for desiring a small share of the delicious nectar. 



There are but few birds, if any, that feed upon the 

 curculio, the pest of the plum, and hence, the scarcity of 

 the fruit in our markets. 



If the birds should entirely leave us it is a question if 

 any fruits could ripen in all the land. It is impious to 

 talk against the birds, and sacrilege to wantonly destroy 

 their innocent lives. 



Children, instead of robbing their nests and throwing 

 stones at them, should be taught to regard them as special 

 messengers from heaven to protect our garden fruits and 

 enliven our homes with their vocal music. It is certainly 

 kind in Mr. G. to prohibit guns from being fired in his 

 beautiful park, and especially so in supplying pools of 

 clear fresh water for their drink and morning ablutions, 

 which they enjoy without fear of annoyance. His groves 

 are full of their warblings, and much tamer than in other 

 localities. He is abundantly rewarded for his kindness. 

 There is no other grove of trees and shrubbery in this 

 vicinity that is kept so fresh and delightful, and Mr. G. 

 fully appreciates the services of the birds. 



