The evening times., 1899-11-04
TO PROTECT SONG Birds
The Audubon Society Will Ask
the Help Of Congress.
A Bill to Re Introduced for Ma
tiOnal Law at the Coming Session.
Many Species That Are Now
Practically Extinct = The Esret
and Others VainIy Sought For.

II has been announced that the Audu-
bon Society and another similar organiza-
tion will make determined effort at this
session of Congress to secure the passage
of a bill to prevent the ruthless slaughter
of birds for decorative purposes. This ac-
tion has been brought about by bird lovers.
who are becoming painfully aware that
certain of our brightest visitors are dis
appearing from their regular haunts. and
unless action is taken now. certain species
will be doomed to extinction. Small boys
and cats are important factors in the de-
struction of birds, but their harmful prac-
tices are distributed over large number
Of species and their agencies are not like
ly TO prove fatal to any single kind of
bird. But the plumage hunter has already
in this country robbed the land of num-
Der Of its richest species.
The egret whose plumage has gone 10
the enhancement of the personal charms
of women. ten years ago was found in
this country in enormous numbers. The
manufacturers offered so much an ounce
or pound for the rich plumes. and the de-
mand was so great that everybody in Flor
ida who had a gun went out and killed
hundreds of the birds apiece. and even
the Seminole Indians took up the work of
determination. and hunted them out Of the
Thick marshes. whittier they had flown for
refuge, from the ceaseiess attack upon
their lives. -
The egret is now something of Curl
osity in Florida. and that means that II
is practically extinct here, for Florida was
its chief habitat. Tourists VINO male voy-
ages several years ago on the st. John ana
other rivers having steamboat lines were
aurprised and delighted with the signt of
these pure white birds flying in great
numbers. back and forth. They made one
of the most conspicuous and charming
features of the trip. Now ii is a matter
OF surprise when one is ssen.
The cardinal is another bird which Is
seen in small numbers throughout the coun-
try now. Not content with killing the bird
for decorative purposes in this country, Its
p,umage has been sent abroad in large
quantities, until now the traffic amounts &c
little because of the scarcity OF the birds
However, they are still killed wherevSr op-
portunity affords, and this beautiful bird.
with its rich, clear tones, and It's spark
ling rcd coat. is nearing the end of its
course ard unless some action is taken 10
stop its wan.on destruction, it Will also
soon be counted among the used 10 be's'
OF our feashered tribes. II is an excellent
cage bird and looks and sings well IL cap
tivity but they are difficult 10 obtain. even
now, for this purpose.
The Baltimore oriole is one OF the birds
against which the war OF determination has
been waged with a painfully apparent sue
cess. 1t is only once in while now that
this beautifully colored bird builds its nest
from the swinging bough Of some old tree
in country gardens and delights people with
its clear wh:stlins and chsttering tones,
rich in melody. There are more OF these
than of the cardinal as yet but IL the craze
for plumage ornament continues. their de-
structon will take place more rapidly with
the disappearance of the other bright-col-
ored songsters. He does not hide himself
in the deep forests. but comes into the
| open and among the hauE.s of men, and
! thus he is an easy prey. = %
The great blue heron once aboulde1
throughout the country, especially in the
Southern States, but the traffic in their
wings has resulted in their becoming prac-
tically extinct. This year the style las
called for single feathers in certain kinds
of ladies' hats, and the demand has re-
| suited in the killing of cages and turkey
buzzards A great many of our ladies may
| be surprised to learn that nearly all the
| large single feathers worn by them are
taken from the turkey buzzard. that ugly
and foul bird. yet such is the truth And
| instead of this being mitigating circum-
stance it is wantcn slaughter. The buzz
yards whole occupation is hun ing decay
| ing animal matter and eating it, and it is
| thus scavenger that saves us ON pes-
| thence. If its destruction is suffered to
/ continue, it may become a very S arce
bird with US in short time the destruc-
! ton of the turkey buzzard is a mena-e to
! the health of the country.
! The passenger pigeon, millions OF which
were to be seen fifteen years ago. is now
almost gone. The Carolina parrot. the
American lark, and fully dozen species
are already, so far as is known, extinct