Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-26
PRESERVATION Of BIRDS
RAPIDLY SPREADING SENTIMENT IN
BEHALF OF THE HIGH PURPOSE.
Formation OF Audub0h Societies in
Many States-Annual Meeting
Of LocPl BODY.

Inc annual meeting of the AUDUBON So
ciety of the District Of Columbia will be
held in the lecture hall Of the Columbian
University next Monday Ievening at S:15.
Besides the usual business there will be an
address by DR.. T. s. Palmer, chairman OF
the executive committee of the society, up
on Bird Protection in 1900" and lecture
by Mr.. Frank M. Chapman upon "Colors
Of Birds" illustrated by lantern slides. Mr..
Chapman, who Is a weli-known writer and
lecturer upon pathological subjects. editor
Of Bird Lore and assistant editor of the
AUX. the organ Of the American Ornithoto-
gists' Union, will come from New York
especially to deliver this lecture. It Is the
present purpose of the society to arrange,
If possible, other popular meetings during
the remainder of the season, with view
to interesting the public in its aims ana
objects. If they are held, these meetings
will be mainly devoted to illustrated lee
lures on birds and kindred topics, and Will
be instructive as well as entertaining. Inss
will be open to the public. The society mas
been for several years devoting itself 10
educational work. Instructive lectures on
birds to teachers in the public schools OF
Washington by some of it's members nave
been conducted with much success, ana
"bird corner has beens established in the
Washington Free Library through its en-
deavors and enriched by the contribution OF
appropriate books by the society
Spread of the Sentiment.
There has been a great awakening OF
sentiment on the subject of bird preserVa-
ton in recent years" said a well-knoWn
ornthologist. Audubon societies have been
established in twenty-three states, and, IN
conjunction with some associations, nave
been potent in bringing legislation and the
general public to realization OF the DANGER
of determination that threatens many
species of birds. Different lines nave peeii
followed to avert this danger; IN some
instances steps have been taken to secure
repressive legislation: in others the gentief
means of persuasion have been adopted. IL
is but natural that the movement should DE
slow and that antagonism should be ell
countered. Man (Which in this case means
chiefly woman) is loath to have old habits
disturbed particularly those of personal
character, and is disposed to resent WHAT
appears to be impertinent interference Win
his right to be guided by his own taste anu
inclination. But the question is more thah
a personal one. The enjoyment OF the "orh
in which we live, with all that 1t OFFERS OF
aesthetic pleasure, Is a right common 10
mankind, and it is this common heritage
which is being recklessly and lightly sac
riticed in the interest of the less ennoohns
taste for outward personal adorhmeht,
Birds, with their bright plumage, varied
music and characteristic habits, nave
definite value to the soul. The poetic IN
stinct of man, purifying and uplifting N
influence, is entitled to recognition ana,
furthermore. Is OF Sucn value " oui 7oS-"ii
organization that it should be fostered.
No Necessity for Bird Destruction.
THAT advancing civilization necessarily
sacrifices to utility much that Is OF great
vaIue aesthetically is to be regretted. but
though regrettable Is often unavoidable In
the case of the destruction of our birds
however, no such necessity exists. Their
use as adornment of headgear and other
apparel is great, and tof many, perhaps
most not in the least revolving despite the
cruel practices by which they are optalneu,
but such use is not SO great that II cannot
be dispensed with without Inconvenience; as
striking and beautiful effects can be at
tanned by other more innocent means
means that do not Involved the deprlvatlons
in other ways that are sinVoiVed IN the
wearing of birds. - a -
land there is another phase of the ques-
ton that makes such work as the Audit
bon societies are accomplishing SIM more
imperative Apart from their value as
objects of poetic interest, birds nave a dis
tinct economic worth that as yearly receiV-
ing wider recognition. They are most use
full agents of nature in Keeping WITHIN
bounds the floods of weeds and insect pests
that make the raising of crops continual
warfare on the part of the agriculturist.
Were all the birds destroyed. famine would
stalk through every land. And though no
such condition need be feared, yet abund-
ance can be, and is, greatly diminished by
the needless havoc among these little allies
of ours by the puryeyOrS OF fashion.
THE men and women that compose the
Audubon societies. to their credit be it said,
do not as rule maintain an intOlerant Gt-
titude. They realize that the opposition
they meet is perfectly natural and en-
deavor to remove it by laying before the
public the facts in the case believing that
with such knowledge the good sense and
kindly natures of the people will lead them
TO perceive the necessity for such measures
as the societies advocate'