Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-04-05

WHY WE NEED AUDUBON SOCIETIES.
and a good shot, the chances are that he
will kill the tiger; if he goes unarmed,
the tiger will kill him just as sure as
eggs are eggs.
Mar has to seriously consider then
under what conditions he is most like
ly to survive. In the case of the person
al encounter with a tiger, a rife was one
of the conditions; where he is confront
ed with enemies against which a rifle is
not effective, other conditions are nee
essary. 1t is a well-known fact that the
welfare of the people of this country at
least is dependent on the success of the
several crops of grain and vegetables
and fruits, and anything which tends to
make these crops a failure, must be
combatted as an enemy, not only OF the
agriculturist, but of the nation.
Among the most dangerous of these
enemies may be included floods,
%droughts, many species of insects, many
species Of small mammals, and noxious
weeds. II the agriculturist had TO de-
pend entirely upon his own efforts, ever
with the aid of a gun, to keep these enc
mics in check. he'd have nc time for ag-
riculture, and the enemies would not be
checked to any appreciable extent, after
all. He must therefore depend to a
large extent upon certain allies to fight
his enemies for him, and it would seem
that as a matter of ordinary common
sense. not to mention common decency
and fairness, that he in turn should do
all in his power to save these allies
from destruction.
In fighting the first two of these enc
mics, man has no more powerful allies
than the forests, which tend to prevent
both flood and drought. Against all the
others mentioned. the strongest allies
are the birds, and it is for the purpose Of
seeing that this great army of unpaid
workers-soldiers, if you like-get
something approaching fair play. that a
great society has arisen. with branches
in many states. Most appropriately it is
called the Audubon society, after the
great John James Audubon. who devot-
ed his life to the study of American
birds and ~quadrupeds, but chiefly to the
former. of which he has left hundreds OF
powerful descriptions and hundreds OF
ment to his remarkable ability, tireless
energy and magnificent courage.
The founding of the Audubon society
was made necessary by tho rapid settle
ment of our country by people who had
not been taught the value of birds, and
who could not believe that the enor-
nous feathered population of a hundred
years ago could eve be diminished.
And with reasonable carr there would
have been no appreciable diminution for
a long time to come. But birds of ali
kinds were slaughtered without the
slightest thought for the future-this
one for food. that one for the milliner.
until species after species has been ex-
tinct or nearly so. This work of destruc-
lion was assisted materially by those
who made extensive collections of eggs,
bird skins or mounted birds. and by
those who captured song birds to be put
into cages. It was seen by certain
thoughtful persons. that unless a halt
was called many sections of the country
at least were going to be practically
birdless, and that the entire country
would have to pay the penalty. So. the
Audubon society was organized, and is
now a great power for good in the land
Next week | propose to tell the story of
its organization and give an account of
some of the work it is engaged in for the
benefit of bird and man.
ERNEST HAROLD BAYNES.