1 62 Bird Comrades 



the land, some of them chirping loudly to express their 

 solicitude. As the darkness deepens, their sight becomes 

 obscured, and they seem to realize that they are exposed 

 to dangers unseen. You have often, no doubt, noticed 

 the to-do made by the robins as the time for retiring 

 draws near. What foes may be lurking in the growing 

 darkness they know not. 



A favorite roosting place for the sparrows, towhees, 

 juncos, and even the robins, was in some thickets by the 

 roadside. As I passed along, a bird would occasionally 

 leap from his perch to the ground and go galloping away 

 over the rustling leaves. At one place a half dozen 

 Harris sparrows were chirping loudly and flitting about 

 a couple of small trees, which were partly covered with a 

 thick network of vines. The cause of their uneasiness 

 could not be determined, unless it was their natural fear 

 of the darkness. I waited until night had settled. Pres- 

 ently the sparrows became quiet. Tramping about near 

 the trees did not disturb them, but when I flung a lighted 

 stick against one of the trees, they flew out of their 

 matted bedroom with loud outcries. For a few minutes 

 they could be seen dashing about from tree to tree ; then 

 they settled down for the night. 



In view of the many trials that naturally come into 

 the life of the birds, we should be all the kinder to them. 

 Why add to their sorrows? Let me give you an example 

 of humane treatment in one case that of the quail or 

 bob- white. Not long ago I listened to a sensible lecturer 

 on natural history subjects. 



