The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-29
,HE PASSING cr 1nE BIRDS.
Murderou Millinery and IEnortnt Prcmi
cuou, Slaughter Fast wIping Them Out.

FROM a., Chicrqo T,iinrs.
More than thirty years ago tho ornitholo-
ton OF tho birds OF America. Their fears found
words. but their WARNINGS were laughed Mt
lecHuse no one could I've brought to believe
that prolific creatures. harmless by nature.
could bo in danger ~ total obstruction. 1t Is
known now that the eNterminhtlon which was
ienred thirty years ago is soon to he an a..
complished fact unless means are taken at
onceto check the slaughter OF our useful birds
:. There are at least ifty species Of featherel
lie once common in all lnits ri the United
states east OF th' Mississippi River that are
now seen only rarely Tho birds that are be-
Ing oNtetminated most RAPIDLY are those
whose brillan markings make them a prey
to the millinery trade, which has men emu
rloyed everywhere to Kill the innocents. The
number Of birds annually sacrificed to the
high az SOOO.OUU by the testimony of those
who have investiGntel the matter.
one OF the worst features OF the slaughter OF
birds Tor women's hat ornaments is that those
employed by the wholesale milliners choose
Then the adult birds are easily found and
readiy approached. 1t is far from exaggera-
won to say mt one erd out o. eySry tour
nestful Of hedgeings doomed to slow starva-
ton 10y the death OF the parent
Michigan north Of Chicago were the breeding
grounds OF hundreds OF scarlet tanagers,
American ornlthology. Now they are SO rare
that one must search whole summer day to
hnI btrd single speIi ., Inc b winged
more oriole, which once made it's nest at the
end OF the drooping bouEhs ut the elms in the
very heart OF large Eastern cities. now is
seen rarely save IN remote country districts.
and there It is now as shy,a. 1t once was
friendly. The numerous family known as the
warblers. whose diminutive size would he
protection did not their SURPRISING beauty
make them objects OF cupidity. are going tho
way OF the others. Many varieties Of this fam
lily nest north OF the Latitude OF Chicago. put
great nun 1ers OF the little creatures are killed
during the vernal migration. The wuodpeck-
ers are rapidly decreasing in numbers. Tho
red: headcd woodpecker whose poll was dyed
by lliawatha for timely service, was once q
common resident oil Chicago. II is seen still
occasionally in kenwooi and other southern
city districts. hut the hunter for the millinery
market and the small Doy with his EoIseless
air gun are FIST depicting Its ranks
The slaughter Ut the birds is far more than
mere matter Of sentiment 1t il question
OF importance from an economic point OF
view. Nearly all the birds OF bright plumage
are insectivorous. \ statement "f the number
OF nONious insects that u single songster will
Kill in a day would tax the creduiity could It
not readily be proven.
birds. and OF this number those whose con-
duct lorna no excuse for their living can
bc counted on the fingers Of one hand. Hus-
hnndmen hav. been apt to lot cherry bruised
by the hoax Of u robin outweigh the death by
the same beak OF hundred insects whose
killing made tho ripe cherries possible. The
tiny hlr,l named 10y ornlthologists the creeper
II called the sar-suckrr by farmers, becGuseo
its supposed habits So lar from sappinG the
life OF I tree this misunderstood little bird
picks from beneath tho bark the in sect that is
slowly working the trees destruction. II the
farmers will consult their own interests and
protect bird life, they will reap the benefit with
their wheat and pluck II with their cherries.
The continuance OF the birds with us rests,
however. mainly with woman. II she will but
permanently substitute ribbons and flowers
Tor feathers as articles OF bonnet decoration
the trl OF tho song sDnrrow and tho liquid
note Of the hermit thrush may he heard in our
meadows anu woods Tor the years to come.