Alabama, ipi8. 69 



abundance of harmful insects. In spring and early summer, when 

 berries and small fruits are at their best, the bird subsists upon in- 

 sects to the extent of five-sixths of its food. Its fruit-eating period 

 is from late fall to early spring, when insects are scarce and waste 

 fruit available. The point that has been urged against the bird, its 

 destruction of predacious beetles, is a harmful trait more apparent 

 than real, inasmuch as its record on all other lines is absolutely in 

 its favor. Field observation and laboratory analysis of the food fully 

 justify the high esteem in which the bird is held, and there is not 

 the slightest excuse for persecuting it or withdrawing from it the 

 smallest degree of protection." — F. B. L. B. in Farmers' Bulletin. 



THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS 



THE night comes on apace. The rain. 

 The warm, still rain, falls soft again. 

 I feel the breath of growing things ; 

 I seem to hear the whir of wings 

 Of countless birds, just marshaHng 

 Their ranks for long, long journeying. 



The songsters bold that fly by day, 

 Near gleaming waters wing their way. 

 Their timid fellows shun the light — 

 God guides them through the dusky night, 

 But every heart holds home-love strong 

 Enough to brave the distance long. 



—A. E. B. 



