New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-12
PROTECTION FOR BIRDS.
LAST DAYS SESSION OF THE AMERICAN
ORNITHOLOGISTs' CONGRESS-

CRUELTY que TO AN USwILLLNGNEss TO AS
sUME INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY
WOMEN MAKE EXCUSES
The paper which was received with the erea,os,
interest at the final days OF the American
Ornithoogists' Congress. at the American Museum
Of Natural History yesterday the report Of the
Committee Bird Protection. read by the chair
man. William butcher. The committee is COM
posed CT the following named members OF the
Union: William butcher. chairman New-York;
Wilmer Stone Philadelphia; Ruthvan Deanne Chi
cago; Leverett NJ. LOOMS. San Francisco George
ii. Mackay. Boston: Otto Widmann, Old Orchard
Mo; A. w. Anthony. San Diego, Cal; E II. For
bush. Maiden Mass; Mrs Z. Irene Rood Chicago
Mrs. Julia Stockton Robins Philadelphia; Miss
Florence A. Merriam. Washington; Mrs. Olive
Thorne Miller. Brooklyn; Mrs. l.. NJ. Stephenson
Helena, Ark, and DR.. T. S. Palmer, Washington.
Mr.. butcher prcfaced his report follows
while thousands OF leaflets have been distributed
and column after column has appeared in the public
press relative TO the fghful cruelty necessita led
by the Of wild birds feathers for millinery
ornamentation. yet the plea OF the great majority
an unwillingness to assume individual responsi-
only the cruelty. but the injury TO agricultural
interests, yet they excuse themselves by saying:
would be killed. anyhow In other words unless Mess
the wearer has particular bird killed fer her par
II certainly is curious and inconsistent thing 10
visit church or lecure-roo and listen to a dis
some phanthropic subject and note the
extreme sympathy displayed by scores OF women
while at the same time their hats decorate
with plumes and feathers that could only have been
obtained by acts Of the greatest cruelty"
The committee urged that Its work be transferred
TO one individual who could give his whole time
IT, Reports were then read from the various
States on the progress Of bird protection These
reports showed that Audubon societies have been
organized in most Of the States, and that decided
advantages have resulted I'm the passage OF laws
10 protect song and insectvorous birds In many OF
the States. Bird Day has been included with Ar
Dor Day In two or three States AMI efforts are
being made TO secure Its Observance In others
Reports from some OF the Western States were
discouraging, in that they told that the use Of
aigrettes. feathers and birds hats
popular this year than ever before.
In concluding his report Mr.. butcher recon-
mended that compilation OF the bird laws OF
the several states be made. and uniform law be
drafted for use In all parts of North America:
AMI further. that the law should prevent the
transportation by public carriers or individuals
from State to another. He added that the
solution OF the bird problem. in his opinion. was in
the education OF children In the schools, I'm all
grades from the kindergarten TO college. In the
economic and aesthetic value Of birdie,
Summer Birds OF the Catski Mountains with Re-
marks Upon the Fauna OF the Region; by C. W.
Bo wles and ]. II. Bowles. The Nesting Habits
of Anthony's Vireo" and by George II Mackay on
The Terms OF Penikese Island Massachusetts"
1t was decided TO hold the next congress OF the
Union at Washington. ID. c.. the second Mon
cay in November. 1895