The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-04-02
TO PROTECT BIRDS.
Audubon Societies at Work In tho
Various States.
Legislatures Have FFamsd Laws
Against the Wholesale Destrue-
tiOn of winged Creatures
fer Miilinsrs.


"saWe the birds" is the burden Of q
pamphlet just issued by the national
committee Of Audubon societies. Itia
the report sf the American ornithelo-
gista' union COMMITTEES, Of which VIII
Liam butcher is the chairman, and, be-
sides the appeal TO the public to pro-
teet the feathered tribe and for funds
TO carry on the good work, II containa
many interesting facts. About 20
years ago George b. Bennett first called
the attention of orithologists to the
rapid dissappearance of birds, owing
to their use as millinery ornaments,
and as result Of his warning an or
ganization was formed, and out Of this
grew other socities and committees.
having the same object in view, until
now there are 80 state Audubon socie-
ties. Through the agency Of these
societies and the workers connected
with them the hlaughtsr of native birds
has been diminished to great extent.
They have worked with the various
state Legislatures, until nowmore than
20 per cent. of the states have . uni
form law, which gives protection to
the birda which do not come under the
head OF game" as far ~ law can pro-
tect them, reports the New York Tri.
bune.
Mr.. butcher, In speaking of the
people who at personal sacrifice ''of
time, strength and labor" have stood
between the birds and the people who
tried TO exterminate them. says;
"Ihey have by hard work begun to
create a healthy growth. They have
employed wardens at various places
along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts to
actually watch over and protect the
sea birds during the time that they
are engaged in nesting. II IL At this
period, when the birds in the south are
in their best plumags and are in
colonies, and when tho paternal in-
stinct renders them fearless and re-
gardless Of danger, that the plume
hunter does his dsadHsst work.
As 70 the value of the birds to the
farmer, II Is Of interest," 90 note the
following statistics; According to
the census of 1900. there were in the
United States 5,73o,657 farms with
total acreage Of SAL. .2o1. $40. The value
OF these lands was placed at sec, ,514,-
ooi,ss5. The product for the farmer
and fruit grower was s7.73e, ,11S752. II
Is said by persona who have made the
matter a study that insects and ro-
dents destroy products annually to the
value Of about $500. 900, even with
the birds as protectors, and this
amount would be vastly larger II the
birds were destroyed.
'gThe birds are rapidly decreasing In
number" eass Mr.. butcher, land un-
less the large aud most shally inter-
ested class Of the population. the agri-
culturists, awaken TO the gravity OF
the situation and absolutely demand
that no more beneficial birds be killed
for any purpose whatever, they will
soon feel che result in an increasing
annual loss in actual dollars and cents.
A difference of per cent. In the value
of the farm products in the United
States each year amounts to the enor-
nous sum of ss7.s9i,is7
Birds are killed, according to the re-
port, by human agencies for three pur-
poses--food, wantonly and for milh-
merry ornaments. Comparatively few
are killed for food, but Thousands of
birds are destroyed BY wing shots "for
nraaffcen and IN mafchnz and fuanv
more Thousands are killed for the mill
iinsry trade On the latter head Mr..
butcher says:
'eThere Il no excuse for shooting the
third class Of birds, as their value as
millinery ornaments is far less than
their value as insect destroyers, Be-
sidea this, contrast the difference in
the money value af the two interests
that are opposed 20 each other. BY
the census Of 1900 we find that the total
capital invested in the millinery and
lace trade was s97.s7o. .0se. and The value
Of the manufactured goods in 1899 was
S95, 400. Place the two interests
side BY side. $4,000, 900 900 as against
SOS. 600. .0OOl Again, an annual product
Of Sk73o, 900. 900 against SOS. .O0o,O0oi
ask, and wish that I could shout my
question In q voice 50 loud and clear
that every man, woman and child in
this broad land Of ours could hear It;
Have the milliners. with their paltry
interests, any right to jeopardize the
safety OF the agricultural interektsf"