"No man ever lived who had a bigger, more merciful heart than 'Honest Abe.'" For myself I did not know who Abraham Lincoln was.

I had never heard the name before, but I was quite sure from the proud tone of the professor's voice that he was a distinguished man, as I was equally sure from the story of his pity for the helpless bird, that he was a good man.
"You mentioned the industry of the grakle a moment ago," resumed the professor.

"Do you know that the redwing is equally as useful, and besides he is a delightful singer?
"The redwing flutes his o-ka-lee.
"Do you remember that line, colonel ?" and the professor softly whistled a strain in imitation of a bird's note.

"The services of our little brothers of the air are exceedingly valuable to the horticulturist.
And think of the damage done to arboriculture by the woodborers alone were it not for the help given by the birds.

Did you ever notice those borers at work, colonel?
Some writer has well described them as animated gimlets.