BIRDS OP THE WEST 11 



THE WOODPECKERS. 

 For destroying ants, moths, beetles and weed-seeds; for their 

 tremulous tattoos and awakening calls of springtime. 



THE KINGFISHERS. 



For lessening the swarms of beetles, crickets and grasshoppers 

 and reminding us that ours are "halcyon" days, if we but make 

 them so. 



THE GROSBEAKS. 

 For destroying potato-bugs and caterpillars ; for one of the 

 sweetest sounds in nature that makes us glad to stop in our hurry 

 that we may look and listen. 



THE SWALLOWS. 

 For killing the germ-bearing mosquitoes ; for suffering saved 

 to the beasts of the field and for their ' ' cheerful twittering from the 



straw-built shed". 



THE NATIVE SPARROWS. 



For using thousands of tons of weed-seed that will never choke 

 the grain nor the flowers ; for their infinite presence and their un- 

 numbered songs. 



THE UNKNOWN LIVING. 



For working without reward and singing without applause. 



THE UNKNOWN DEAD. 

 That have fallen on broken wing during the wild nights ; that 

 by unhappy flight have been the prey of natural enemies and men. 



