Page:Bird-lore Vol 04.djvu/130



Concerning the Bad Repute of Whiskey John

EV FANNIE HARDY ECKSTORM

Author oi “rm- llud Book.‘ 'Thr \\'Dmlprckcvs.' Eu.

N these days every bird has his apologist, but I should rather not be the advocate to defend Whiskey John. He is the worst thief, the greatest scoundrel, the most consummate hypocrite abroad in feath—

ers, with his Quaker clothes. his hoary head, his look of patriarchal saintliness. He is a thief, a thief, a thief l

A friendly bird—lover who would loyally Vihitewash the character of the arch-fiend provided he were a feathered biped, argues that to admit of birds having a glimmering of moral sense would make them account— able for their actions in cherry-time, and that therefore the negative must be sustained, The vicious circle in the proof appears at once when we bring forward Whiskey Jack as a bird indubitably lacking moral sense, and inquire what would happen if all other birds were equally defective in their ethical notions. The sum of all the charges against Whiskey Jack is that he knows nothing and cares nothing about morals. Whether he does or does not know the difference between mwm and tuum, he has a decided preference for what is not his own, He steals from pure love of pilfering. and shows not the slightest compuncrinns of conscience, He steals not alone to satisfy his own wants, but those of his brothers and sisters and wife's relations, and his third, fourth and ﬁfth cousins, and after that he keeps right on stealing for posterity. He takes not only articles for which he has a use and an appetite, but others which he never saw before, doesn't know the uses of, doesn't like the taste of, and can never learn to enjoy or use. I am willing to share generously my cherries and strawberries with the birds; I am ready to divide my last meal of bread and meat with them, but I draw the line at allowing any bird to eat my way. Soap is soap in the Maine woods. forty miles from a store. and even if it were something else it is debatable