THE BIRDS OF BATTLE GROVE 162 
ter of useful insectivorous birds in defiance of law still 
continues we hear from every side, and will state the 
following incident of recent happening in confirmation. 
A gentlemen of Robinson, N. D., related to the wri- 
ter the following incident: 
«‘T accompanied a fellow last summer on a claim hunt. 
We had a horse and buggy and were driving quietly 
along one of the trails when we heard the sweet music 
of amating lark perched upon a hillocka few yards 
to one side of the road. The bird sang lustily and 
seemed happy in intertaining us with a good morning 
serenade. 
‘‘Look at that lark. Let me out to shoot it!” 
The man with the lines expostulated but slowed up 
and the brute with gun inhand jumped to the ground, 
took careful aim and fired. The poor little songster 
was shot to pieces. 
The brute with the gun was satisfied. 
But the driver did not share in the shooter’s satisfac- 
tion, 
With the report of the gun so close to his ears the 
startled pony jumped sideways and the buggy shafts 
were broken. They patched the rig up as best they 
could and managed to reach their destination. The 
buggy repairs cost them several dollars, and the lesson 
was not altogether lost—on one of them at least. 
Who had the greater soul the bird or its destroyer? 
The one that was giving joy or the one that crushed 
the life out of the giver of joy? 
