Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-08
CARE OF THE BIRDS
AUDUBON SOCIETY HEARS RE-
PORTS ON THE SUBJECT
frof' Beal and Maj. Sylvester Discuss
Iopics of Understanding
the Quails.

The Audubon Society of the Distr,o, =.
Columbia held meeting last evening a,
the public library at & O'Clock Ma,or
Hlchard Sylvester, one of the vice nresi-
gents OF the society. presided over the meet-
ihs' ana introduced Prof. F. E. L. Beal of
the department of Agriculture. who deliv.
ered lecture upon the Economic Rela.
lions of Birds"
rfoi. beal, who is probably better posted
On the subject than any other student of
piros' SAID he believed the birds in all
parts OF the country were decreasing and
ma. tne greatest care should be exercised
~ io.ect them as much as possible
Nnahy persons say, he added that If tho
oiius are protected to any great extent they
VIII multiply so rapidly that they will he
Siii hydrocarbons upon the fields while now
tHey are sufhciently numerous to keen doun
lhe insects that destroy the fruit ana
gram Some people want to bring birds to
ms country from the continent Of Eurone
put ths might prove injurious, as in the
case of the English sparrow
Importation Of Birds.
we must ponder long before we import
birds into this country" said Prof Rea,
and we. might take into consideration
when England imported the European rab
pit ana birds into Australia; the dire conse-
quences of the Importation were soon an
parent to those who had been foremost in
bringing them into the country
Most birds prefer the food that nature
mas endowed them WITH but when there Ia
scarcity 1t is well that some precautions
be taken to see that they do not die for
lack of food. 1 believe the home is NOT
complete without the birds and the bows of
the FAMILY should be encouraged to put up
boxes so that they may be properly housed
and that the child may come in closer con-
tact with the different specimens of bird
life. and in that way come to know more
or the feathery denizens of the fields and
hedges"
Professor Beal also told of the examina-
lions he had made of the stomachs of
birds, and said he is convinced they are a
power for good in the destruction of In.
sects that are harmful to vegetation of
every description
Major Sylvester suggested that the soci-
ETY. thank Professor Beal for his most en-
tertaining lecture and a motion to that
effect, being made and seconded, was car
ried unanimously
Mrs. John d. Patten, the secretary Of the
society, was asked by Major Sylvester to
make report, and after stating that the
pins for members who had not been sup
piled had arrived Mrs. Patten urged every
one who had not procured a pin to get one
as soon as possible.
Mrs. Wallace Radcliffe the treasurer Of
the society, reported that the sum of 800
would probably be sent to the committee
in New York to help defray the expense Of
protecting the birds of the country.
Maj. Sylvester's Address.
Major Sylvester said he had been asked
to address the society upon the methods
pursued by the police department for feed
ing the birds during the present wintry
weather He said
Il am glad to see the teachers and pupils
of the schools and the popuiace taking
such a lively interest in the study of birds,
and 1 believe that the earnest study of
birds will advance the youth of the land
in many ways.
My boys are my companions, and / al
ways take them with me when / go hunt
ing fishing, so they may come in con-
tact with the birds and with nature, as 1
believe it will tend to lead to higher and
better life. The study Of nature and the
streams will do more for the boys good
than all the games of the city. The birds
are increasing, and this is caused by the
efforts being put forth for their protection
by those interested. Here in the District
of Columbia should be the field of all 9TH
where the birds and plants should be
protected l am in favor of the passage Of
a law which will forbid the killing of any
thing that will contribute to the attract
iveness of any of our parks other areas
of the District of Columbia.
II have instructed the policemen in the
OUTLYING districts to scatter grain in the
open places where the quail are likely to
look for food, and the reports that have
come to me are that the feeding of the
birds has to a great extent saved them
from starvation while the ground is COW
cred with ice and snow. The Game and
Fish Protective Association, of which
am member, is doing all in it's power to
relieve the hunger of the birds while the
cold weather continues, and grain is being
scattered In many places where the birds
can come and feed"
general discussion among the members
lasted for about twenty minutes, after
which the meeting adjourned.