236 What Birds Have Done With Me 



hear nothing of any restriction on the amount of 

 fixed ammunition to be poured into our vanishing 

 wild life, during the coming "open season." The 

 slaughter of our bird neighbors for sport is a 

 shameful reversion to savage ancestors I beg 

 pardon of these same ancestors they were sav- 

 ages but not guilty of that civilized, smug, blood- 

 thirstiness. However great the discouragements 

 of our immediate surroundings, the wide look 

 shows real progress in bird protection. If straws 

 show in what direction the wind blows, the tiny 

 fact that Metropolitan Newspapers are devoting 

 space to bird lore indicates a better future for our 

 birds. May we not go farther and see the ap- 

 proach of Halcyon days in that future when we 

 find reference in a department of "Woods and 

 Waters," to the kingfisher as a brother fisher- 

 man? 



Oh! soul of mine remember, 

 There is really naught to fear, 

 The days are growing brighter, 

 Each day throughout the year. 



