I20 ORNITHOLOGY IN OUR COMMON SCHOOLS. 



memories. Such lessons would lead to an intelligent and 

 discriminating regard for things. Some contend that every- 

 thing was created for some useful purpose — a little girl de- 

 claring that mosquitoes were of use, since they " made things 

 lively." Certainly many things seem designed to awaken 

 opposition, and arouse indignation. Such are the venomous 

 reptiles ; and, in a milder way, noxious weeds of the field. 

 If in Egypt birds have been worshipped ; if in some oriental 

 countries even venomous reptiles have been regarded with 

 awe, we have reached a better era of discrimination. Some 

 living things are to be destroyed — yes, exterminated. It is 

 not cruel, but humane, to destroy venomous serpents, nor 

 does such destruction develop a cruel disposition. If a 

 mother destroys a wild beast that threatens the life of her 

 child, does she on that account think any less of her child ? 

 Indeed she thinks still more of her child and all other 

 children as well. If a child rescues her Canary-bird from 

 the attack of a Hawk, does she think any less of song-birds ? 

 If a boy slaughters House Sparrows as the common enemy 

 of song-birds, does he thereby become cruel ? Quite the 

 contrary ; he becomes more merciful and kind toward the 

 objects he seeks to protect. 



