Sko. 11.] 



BIRDS. 



The woodpecker — the same one that was tapj/ing " the hollow beceh-tree" 

 — makes holes in the old applo-trecs, into which for years afterward the 

 pretty bluebird creeps and rears its annual brood. 



The blackbird, the most numerous of the family of small birds, mostly 

 nests in the swamp ; except one variety, imitating the crow, that goes into 

 the highest trees, such as the spruce, with a dark, thick top, where boys nor 

 small shot can not come. 



In the meadow we find the sly nest of the quail and lark and several 

 small birds ; and in the thickest bushes, the home of the brown thrush. lie 

 is a natural musician, a sweet bird full of glee and cheerfulness ; but the 

 merriest and most amusing of the whole family is the noisy little bobolink. 



We look upon birds as among the essentials of a landscape, and would as 

 soon think of chopping down the orchard, shooting the turkeys, and wring- 

 ing the necks off of the barn-yard fowls, or making mutton of the sheen or 

 giving the lambs to the dogs, as to think of destroying the birds or driving 

 them from the premises. 



"Going a gunning," with the murderous intent to kill such birds, <nyj:ht to 

 fonsign a man to the infamy that we are a2)t to attach to a savage or a brute 

 who M'antonly kills the finest of God's creation. 



"Without birds, a country is desolate ; with them, it is always cheerful. 

 Their songs would enliven the heart of a stone, or make a miser for the 

 moment forget his money. 



The association of children with birds, when taught to love them and not 

 destroy their nests, has as direct and certain a tendency to improve their 

 natures as the church or family fireside. Teach a child that birds are among 

 the good gifts of God to man, and it is hardly possible that the child will 

 grow up to manhood without being possessed of some of tJic attributes of the 

 sweet songsters of the grove. 



And yet there are parents who allow their children to wage incessant war 

 upon the birds, never thinking of the injury they are doing their young 

 minds, or how many destructive enemies they are entailing upon the crops in 

 the shape of countless caterpillars, grubs, and worms. 



We do not know of a higher Christian duty for a minister to engage in 

 than an effort to preserve the birds in his parish. 



AVc would impress upon the mind of every child that the command, "thou 

 shalt not kill," meant these dear little birds as well as things of a higher 

 degree. Thou shalt not wantonly kill a single thing of all creation that is 

 not necessary for man's sustenance, or that is not detrimental to his interest. 



Children should be taught not only to love the music of birds, but to look 

 upon them as models of beauty antl aftection to their mates and to their 

 young. Instead of driving thoni away from the house, encourage them to 

 come and perch npon the window-sill and build their nests under the eaves. 



Do not tell us they destroy the small fruit. Plant enough for birds and 

 men. If they do eat fruit, they also eat worms, and you can well atford to 

 give them a few cherries and currants for what they have done for yon. 



