Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 April 1910 — SLAUGHTER OF ROBINS. [ARTICLE]

SLAUGHTER OF ROBINS.

Thonaaada of the Bird* Killed Id Tennessee—lO Cents n Dosen. Robins are numerous at Lofton, ,Tenn., and are “selling readily on the local market at 10 cents a dozen," according to a Murfreesboro special to the Louisville Courier-Journal. It should be explained that the robins are not so numerous as they used to be, for the fact that they sell for 10 cents a dozen has Induced many men and boys to engage in the wholesale slaughter of the birds. Thousands of robins, the special says, gather In the cedars to roost and hunting parties go in the night and capture and kill them in large numbers. One party caught 2,600 birds In one night. One hunter caught 377 birds in one tree. It is estimated that 150,000 robins have been killed within the last three weeks. It is great sport —and the robins sell for 10 cents a dozen. That is the way in which wild hird life is being protected in some parts of this great country. The robin is a beautiful and harmless bird, the Courier-Journal says. He is an indefatigable destroyer of Insect pests. Any one who has ever watched him on a lawn can testify to his industry in searching out bugs and worms and his capacity for potting them where they can do no harm. If there ip a cherry tree handy he will visit it occasionally, but he much prefers to forage after living things. He is a cheerful, happy bird and rather likes to make himself handy around the premises, rearing a family the while In the boughs of the old apple tree. He Is not much of a singer so far as the quality of his music goes, but he is always willing to give you a sample of the best he can do in that line and the effect is not unpleasant to the human ear. In fact, the robin is an all-round good fellow and is always ready to be friendly and serviceable if given half a chance. It is to be regretted that our neighbors in Tennessee are not giving the robin even half a chance, but are murdering him in cold blood. There really seems to be no reason for it except that robins are worth 10 cents a dosen. That also would seem to be about the proper market quotation for men who engage in sVich slaughter, either for pleasure or profit.