is estimated that half of the prairie hens'
eggs are destroyed by fire, water and other causes. Wet seasons are
very injurious to the prairie chicks, and at all times they are in
danger from skunks and other prowlers, save through the cunning and
courageous protection of their devoted mother.

These unavoidable dangers should appeal to the farmer to render the
prairie chicken his kindness and protection whenever he can. He has
few, if any, greater allies, for during the rearing of the young and
throughout the summer the food of the prairie chicken consists
principally of insects, chiefly of the destructive grasshopper. During
the winter they feed upon weed-seed and scattered grain. Of course, at
times the prairie chickens make slight inroads upon the crops, but
these are many times repaid by the noxious weed-seeds they destroy.

The wild rose is one of the most beautiful flowers on the prairie. It
is also one of the most troublesome weeds, in the destruction of which
the prairie chicken has no superior, for one of their principal foods
in winter is the wild rose fruit.

The beneficial characteristics of the prairie chicken, varied by
environment and ensuing tendencies of the birds, hold true of the
entire grouse family. Wherever found, the grouse are considered good
game birds. Were their good works in the destruction of weeds and
insects as well known as is their desirability for the table or for
targets for the sportsmen, they would be regarded as one of the most
valuable among the agriculturist's feathered friends.

--_Reprint from Nature and Culture._

[Illustration]

BUNNY.

There was once a little bunny,
In a little wooden hutch;
He'd a happy little master,
And he loved him very much.

But that bunny wasn't happy,
Tho' he'd such a pleasant home,
For he thought 'twould be much nicer
In the world outside to roam.

So he asked the pretty ponies,
And both answered with a neigh,
"Don't be silly; we should miss you,
If you were to run away."

So that foolish little bunny
Whispered, "Thank you, very much,"
And went back again, contented,
To his little wooden hutch.

[Illustration: A SUMMER SCENE IN MERCER COUNTY.]

[Illustration: A BRANCH OF THE MAUMEE.]

OHIO'S PIONEER TREE-PLANTER.

BY CLEMENT L. MARTZOLFF, OHIO UNIVERSITY, ATHENS, OHIO.

In the year 1806, a man living in Jefferso