The sun., 1900-03-20
PROTECTING THE BIRDS.
Natural History Society Condemns
the Proposed Slaughter of the
Innocents

The interest and Indignation which
was aroused in this State some time ago
by a reported contract for 10000 birds
received by two Milford men for New
York milliner, has not abated, and there
is little hope OF the order ever being
filled If it can be prevented.
AT special meeting of the Natural
History Society of Delaware, which was
held last night, resolution was offered
by John L. Pennypacker and adopted by
the society. The resolution condemns
the slaughter of the birds.
Walter D. Bush, vice president of the
society, read an interesting article on
the subject and short addresses ON the
same subject were made by A. D. Poole
and John I. Pennypacker. The reso-
lutions adopted were as follows:
Whereas, This community has been
surprised and shocked to learn that large
offers Of money have been made and con-
.racts entered into by dealers of New
York city for the purchase aud delivery
from the lower section of this State Of
the skins OF an immense number of wild
birds OF species known to be of great
benefit TO the farmer, gardener and fruit
grower, and
Whereas, The futillment of con-
tract OF such nature means not only the
destruction OF the specified number of
the particular species contracted for, but
the killing, wounding, alarming, dis
persing and driving away, of large num-
bers of others, greatly to the detriment
of the agricultural interest of our State.
to the gross violation of all feelings of
humanity and the disgust and adherence
of all right minded people, and
Whereas, The fact is patent, that the
incentive to engage in this cruel, bloody
and barbarous traffic, arises from the
gain to be realized from supplying the
demands of a prevailing fashion, and
Whereas, So long as this demand con-
tinues to exist, efforts, will undoubtedly
be made to supply it from some source;
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Society OF Natural
! History of Delaware expresses it's utmost
abhorrence of the proposed slaughter of
many thousands of the most useful.
beautiful and pleasing among the lower
orders of the animal kingdom, and that
its members will cooperate, individually
and collectively with all efforts that
may be made to suppress or prohibit the
fulfillment of the aforesaid contract, and
any and all other attempts that may be
made to injure or destroy our native
birds.
Resolved, That laws more stringent
and protective than those now in force
are required for the preservation of the
Avilauna of this State, that such laws
should be passed by the next Legislature
and that we will use every effort to that
end.
Resolved, That we do hereby earnestly
; appeal to the women of Delaware to re-
, frain from purchasing or using for pur-
poses OF taste or ornament all articles
, that can only be supplied by destroying
the lives Of our wild birds; and to exert
their influence to induce others Of their
sex to follow their example, and thereby
aid in abolishing and destroying this
most pernieious and repusive traffic.
About one bundled names were added
to the list for membership in the Della
: ware Audubon Society which is being
organized by Mrs. William S. Hiiles.