THE BIRDS’ PETITION 
47 
We all look forward, and rightly, to the enchanted time when 
the Spring migrants come back to us ; but we should set more 
value on the wild creatures that remain faithfully with us all 
through the dark days of winter. Throughout the year there 
is always a picture on Nature’s canvas, painted in with vivid 
colours so that all may see ; but how few of us are even conscious 
that it is there ! 
M. C. B. 
THE BIRDS’ PETITION. 
NE of the most remarkable legal documents on bird 
protection is the Birds’ Petition, by Senator George F. 
Hoar, Senior Senator from Massachusetts. When 
this was presented in the Massachusetts State Legis- 
ature the enthusiasm that it aroused was so great that it 
passed through both Houses like a whirlwind. 
This famous petition should be read in every school and 
home. It will never grow old, and should be read by every 
person at least once every ten years : — 
“ 1 To the Great and General Court of the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, we, the song-birds of Massachusetts and their 
play-fellows, make this our humble petition. We know more 
about you than you think we do. We know how good you are. 
We have hopped about the roofs and looked in at the windows 
of the houses you have built for poor, and sick, and hungry 
people, and little lame, and deaf, and blind children. We have 
built our nests in the trees and sung many a song as we flew 
about the gardens and parks you have made so beautiful for 
your own children, especially your poor children, to play in. 
Every year we fly a great way over the country, keeping all 
the time where the sun is bright and warm, and we know that 
whenever you do anything, other people all over the great land 
between the seas and the great lakes find it out, and pretty 
soon will try to do the same thing. We know ; we know. We 
are Americans just as you are. Some of us, like some of you, 
came from across the great seas, but most of the birds like us 
have lived here a long while, and birds like us welcomed your 
fathers when they came here many years ago. Our fathers and 
mothers have always done their best to please your fathers and 
mothers. 
“ ‘ Now we have a sad story to tell you. Thoughtless or 
bad people are trying to destroy us. They kill us because our 
feathers are beautiful. Even pretty and sweet girls, who we 
should think would be our best friends, kill our brothers and 
children so that they may wear their plumage on their hats. 
Sometimes people kill us from mere wantonness. Cruel boys 
destroy our nests and steal our eggs and our young ones. 
People with guns and snares lie in wait to kill us, as if the 
