Alabama, 19 15. 23 



BIRD MINSTRELSY 



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WOULD like to say a few words in behalf of the little 

 birds that flutter in the tree tops and wing their merry way 

 hither and thither, searching for insects and making the 

 whole world glad with their soulful liquid music. Did any 

 one ever take time to think how lonely they would be these bright 

 spring mornings if, by any chance, the birds had forgotten to come 

 back here from their migratory flight. Our loss would be greater 

 than it is possible to imagine. But notwithstanding the cruel treat- 

 ment they sometimes receive, we have the assurance they will return 

 with each new springtime, to cheer our hearts with their joyous 

 minstrelsy. 



"And when you think of this, remember, too, 

 'Tis always morning somewhere, and above 

 The awakening continents, from shore to shore, 

 Somewhere the birds are singing evermore. " 



The most valuable possession of a living creature is its life — life 

 is the foundation of all values, for a. dead thing can value nothing. 

 To kill one bird does more to darken the world for us than to destroy 

 a myriad of the lower and more sluggish forms of life, and to kill 

 it uselessly and wantonly is a near approach to murder. Birds are 

 like human beings in that they not only enjoy themselves, but they are 

 a source of joy to others — to their mates, their young, and also to 

 the best and most admirable part of human-kind. The flash of a 

 bird's wings in a tree top, the twitter of its song, may bring pure 

 pleasure to a hundred people in a single day. 



Aside from this, birds have a utility to man which no intelligent 

 person can ignore ; they serve us by putting a check on the increase 

 of weeds, destructive insects, and other agencies which do us harm 



