ENEMIES OF BEES. 
253 
If — as in the olden time of fables — birds could be 
moved by human language, it would be worth while to 
post up, in the vicinity of our Apiaries, the old Greek 
poet’s address to the swallow : 
“ Attic maiden, honey fed, 
Chirping warbler, bears't away 
Thou the busy buzzing bee, 
To thy callow brood a prey ? 
Warbler, thou a warbler seize? 
Winged, one with lovely wings ? 
Guest thyself, by Summer brought, 
Yellow guests whom Summer brings? 
Wilt not quickly let it drop ? 
’Tis not fair ; indeed, ’lis wrong, 
That the ceaseless warbler should 
Die by mouth of ceaseless song.” 
No Apiarian ought ever to encourage the destruction 
of birds, because of their fondness for his bees. Unless 
we can check the custom of destroying, on any pretence, 
our insectivorous birds, we shall soon, not only be de- 
prived of their serial melody among the leafy branches, 
but shall lament, more and more, the increase of insects, 
from whose ravages nothing but these birds can protect 
us. Let those who can enjoy no music made by these 
winged choristers of the skies, except that of their ago- 
nizing screams as they fall before their well-aimed 
weapons, and flutter out their innocent lives before their 
heartless gaze, drive away, as far as they please from 
their cruel premises, all the little birds that they cannot 
destroy, and they will, eventually, reap the fruits of their 
folly, when the caterpillars weave their destroying webs 
over their leafless trees, and insects of all kinds riot in 
glee on their blasted harvests.* 
* w The farmors of Europe having learned, by Topeated observation, that, without 
the aid of mischievous birds, their work would be sacrificed to the more destructive 
