Why Protect the Birds? 305 



"Thus from the red stained oak the robin came, 



The cardinal, the maple's splendor bore; 

 The yellow bird the willow's faded gold 



In living plumage bore." 



This is the reason, so the Indians say, that the birds are 

 so closely allied to the trees and return each year to build their 

 nests beneath their friendly shelter. And for this reason I 

 love the birds and would protect them. 



No other creatures that God has made, are so gifted with 

 song, as are the birds. As Mr. Chapman says, "Birds' songs 

 are the most eloquent of nature's voices ; the gay carol of the 

 grosbeak in the morning, the dreamy midday call of the pe- 

 wee, the vesper hymn of the thrush, the clanging of the geese 

 in springtime, the farewell of the blue birds. in the fall how 

 clearly each one expresses the sentiment of the hour or sea- 

 son." I have heard many great singers, but the songs of none 

 of them has left in my memory a recollection of such sweet- 

 ness as that of a robin I heard one evening in the springtime 

 when I, weary, was returning home from my office. It was 

 perched on the topmost limb of a maple tree, and there in the 

 rain with uplifted head, it was pouring out its soul in song to 

 God, its Creator. 



"What bird is that? Its song is good, 



And eager eyes 

 Go peering through the dusky wood 



In glad surprise. 

 Then late at night, when by his fire 



The traveller sits 

 Watching the flames go brighter, higher, 



The sweet song flits 

 By snatches through his weary brain 



To help him rest." 



Then why should we not do all we can to preserve them? 



We have seen that their services to us are invaluable, that 

 without them our storehouses would be empty and we know 

 that they are the most beautiful creatures in the world. They 

 are beautiful in their symmetrical forms ; in their varied colors ; 

 in their flight and, as we have seen, in their song. A study 

 of and association with them develops a love for the beautiful 

 and inspires one to a higher life. And this brings me to the 



