Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-04-09

average of once in about five minutes
Observations on other species indicate tina
| this Is probably not an uncommon aver
age for other OF our common birds.
The Department OF Agriculture has pub.
lished number of bulletins ON the econ.
omic value OF the birds, some OF which
may be obtained free, and to some oil
which a nominal price has been attached
One very helpful publication is Farmers
Bulletin No. 81, entitled, 'tThe Relation u
Some Of Our Common Birds to Agricul-
ture," which may be obtained free OF
charge on applying to Secretary of Agri-
culture, Washington, ID. G..
WHAT MAN HAS DONE FOR THE BIRDS.
In pitfully striking contrast to the great
service that the birds have rendered man,
! is the ungrateful return of mankind in a
wanton and cruel destruction, and in some
cases, determination of the birds.
Five years ago, Mr.. Hornaday OF New
York sent inquiries to ornithologists in all
parts OF the country concerning the
change in the number of the birds. The
result was that reports OF an alarming de-
crease in almost every state in the union
were received. An average for all parts of
the country showed that in the last fifteen
years our birds had decreased nearly one
half and that unless immediate steps were
taken 70 prevent II, their total destruction
would follow. These reports also showed
that the chief causes for this destruction
were plume and milliners' hunters
"sportsmen," so called; egg collecting, |
chiefly by small boys; and hunting con-
tests.
In order that the thoughtless fancies of |
our women for hat adornment CD NAV be /
satisfied, millions OF our most beautiful |
and useful birds are slaughtered under the
most cruel and sickening circumstances.
The beautiful herons' plumes, or aigrettes.
which are so highly priced, are developed
On the snowy heron only at the nesting
lime when caring for the young; Hunters
% 10 the retreats where these birds nest
ogether in colonies and slaughter them IN
arge numbers while the birds are busy
With their family cares, thus leaving
thousands Of little ones 20 die OF starva-
ion. And yet women wear these
igrettes Thus the wholesale butchery
i our birds has gone on to carry on the
rade OF the milliner. The interests OF the
lilliners in this country amount to about
., 100000, the interests OF the farmers TO
bout sl3O00,O O0,000, or over 500 times as
iuch. Shall the fancy and cruelty OF the
rst paltry industry, which serves no real
eed, be allowed, through the destruction
the farmers necessary allies, to imperil
ne very existence of the second industry,
pom which our very life depends? The
rmers will demand that this sacrifice OF
leir interests be stopped. v
Another cause OF bird destruction In our :,
ny midst is the animal hunt, in which :
cry living thing is killed indiscriminate- G
without regard to the state laws which 4
otect most of our birds. Owing,
ink, to this custom in Randolph Center,
e ehickadees, nuthatches and wood
ckers are scarce around here. And vet .,
ese are the very best friends OF the :,
rmer because they are here the whole II
ar. When the farmer understands the
ne relations OF the birds to his interest q,
is barbarous custom will not be allowed !,
continue. o.
Another evil, to some extent in our K
idst, is egg collecting. Whole sets OF
IS are taken indiscriminately from any
d all nests, although here, as in killing
rds, each offense is punishable by a fine
five dollars. The chief offenders here ~
the small boys, very few of whom v,
Ilize what they are doing. -
mother common cause OF bird destruc- -
n, always with us, for which we are 10
;