The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1903-03-30
TO PROTECT BIRDS.
Audubon Societies at Work in the
Various States.
Legislatures Have Framed Laws
Against the Wholesale Desfruc-
tion Of Winged Creatures
for MiIIiners.


pamphlet just issued by the national
committee Of Audubon societies. 1t is
the report Of the American Ornitholo-
gists' union committee. of which Will
liam butcher is tho chairman, and, be-
sides the appeal to the public to pro-
tect the feathered tribe and for funds
to carry on the good work, it contains
many interesting facts. About 20
years ago George b. Bennett first called
the attention Of orithologists to the
rapid disappearance 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 socic-
ties. Through the agency Of these
societies and the workers connected
with them the slaughter Of native birds
has been diminished to great extent.
They have worked with the various
state Legislatures, until now more than
40 per cent. of the states have a uni
form law, which gives protection to
the birds which do not come under the
head Of game" as far as 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:
"They have by hard work begun to
create healthy g.owth. 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. 1t is at this
period, when the birds in the south are
in their best plumage and are in
colonies, and when the paternal in
stinct renders them fearless and re-
gardless Of danger, that the plume 4
hunter does his deadliest work.
As to the value of the birds to the
farmer, it is Of interest TO note The
following statistics: According to
the census Of 1900, there were in the
United States 5,739,657 farms with
total acreage Of s4i. .20l, $40. The value
of these lands was placed at s2O,5l4.-
COL ,ss3. The product for the farmer
and fruit grower was $7,739, ,1is,752. 1t
is said by persons who have made the
matter a study that insects and ro-
dents destroy products annually to the
value OF abont $500, ,00O. 900, even with
the abirds as protectors, and this
amount would be vastly larger il the
birds were destroyed.
"The birds are rapidly decreasing in
says Mr.. butcher. land un-
less the large and most vitality inter-
ested class Of the population, the agri- |
culturists. awaken 10 the gravity OF |
the situation and absolutely demand |
that no more beneficial birds be killed |
for any purpose whatever, they will |
soon feel the 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 s47. 7.39l, ,1s7r
Birds are killed, according to the re-
port, by human agencies for three pur-
poses-food. wantonly and for milli-
merry ornaments. Comparatively few
are killed for food, but thousands of |
birds are destroyed by wing shots for
practice" and in matches. and many |
more thousands are killed for the mill
inery trade. On the latter head Mr..
butcher says:
"'There is no excuse for shooting the
third class Of birds. as their value as
ornaments is far less than
heir value as insect destroyers. Be-
sides this. contrast the difference in
The money value of the two interests
hat are opposed to each other. BY /
he census Of 1900 we find that the total
capital invested in the millinery and L
ace trade was ss7, ,970, ,o56. and the value
If the manufactured goods in 1899 was /
;97, ,o59. .496. Place the two interests
ide by side. $50 0,o00, 900 600 as against
IS. .o0o. .000l Again, an annual product Il
# s4,73e, 900 900 against $9s.0o0, ,0ool II
lsk, and wish that ! could shout my II
question in a voice so loud and clear
hat every man, woman and child in
his broad land of ours could hear it: n
Have the milliners, with their paltry n
interests, any right to jeopardize the
- L.. ..-f. - a =. I