The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-05
WARFARE WAGED AGAINST
 THE BIRDS TO BE STOPPED

under the direction of William Butcher, treasurer of the American Ornithologists' union, small amount of money has been made to do large service. 1t takes but moment to show how badly this service is needed. A year or two ago summer res idents of the islands lying southeast of Massachusetts upon returning to the mainland In the autumn reported that the gull and tern hunters had swarmed over the islands and had shot nearly every one of the nestling birds, in thousands of in stances leaving the young in the nests to die of slow starvation.
 Cruelty of Bird Hunters.
 Another story was told by these re- turned summer residents of the Islands. They said that in many cases the birds would fall wounded before the shots of the market hunters, and, still living, would be picked up to have their wings torn off, the birds then being tossed to that In some cases where the birds had been but slightly wounded they had managed to survive even the tearing away of their wings and that in many places on the islands there were wingless birds picking up a precarious living which would be theirs only until the winter came and froze out their innocent lives. The gulls whose wings were torn off were those whose body plumage was in too poor a condition for the market.
 There was an investigation of these stories of horrid cruelty and they were found to be true. If an additional spur were needed to quicken the movement for the protection of the guls and terms it was found in the recital of these tales of the inhumanity of the gunners Money was raised. wardens were appointed and the birds were protected through the time of their nesting. It has been said by the thoughtless that the need for sea bird protection has been grossly exaggerated Such statements as this have come from people who believe in protection in the ab- stract, but belttle the necessity for active work
 Here is an answer to such doubters It is only one case among hundreds, and it is far from being the most fragrant of those reported. man named Small something in a name, possiby-shot gulls and terms for the market from October 1 to October ' last year. In the seven days he killed 2.625 birds. The selling price was 12ls cents for each victim. Smalls weeks work of slaughter brought him in some thing over S30O. Little wonder is that this man and others like him hate to have the law interfere with their shooting
 The movement for the protection of the birds along the Atlantic has started sim liar movement on the great lakes and along the coast of California Many of the gulls and terms breed In the islands of northern Lake Michigan and on the islands and along the shores of Huron and Superior. At present moral suasion rather than money is being used in the western territory. It is a sad commentary, per- haps, on human nature that the experi- of fba that money, cash down at that. has been more effective in saving the birds than an appeal to the sympathies of men and women.
 When the day comes that sees no free wild bird riding on tireless pinions above the flashing waves of lake and ocean the waterside for him who seeks 1t in the love of nature will have lost much of it's present potent charm.