Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-05-01
well as of economic value?

well as of economic value?
The law should be very clear and
explici, upon this point, that the pos.
session of the body or plumuge of any
of our native wild birds shall be con.
elusive proof that the same was OBJ
tanned In violation of the statute This
would stop the wanton killing and
traffic in wild bird plumage at once
and would afford the survivors abSo.
lutte protection. Laws to protect birds.
however, no matter how good they
may be, are useless unless they are
enforced or unless there is public
sentiment in favor of bird protection
This sentiment Is the very goal that
all bird lovers are striving for. and it
may be attained in many different
ways.
For want of space | suggest only a
few of the many methods that could
be used to create sentiment:
First.-Let the members OF the women's
clubs. the Christian Endeavor societies.
the Epworth leagues and the Young Peo-
pies Christian associations have an addi-
tionaI aim. 1t is to love Gods wild birds
as well as his human children II all
the members OF these bodies will pledge
themselves to refrain from killing their
little brothers of the air and absolutely
refuse to wear the plumage OF any wild
birds as ornaments, then great advance
will have been made toward the better
protection of our birds
Second. Let the true sportsman insist
upon 1t that the pseudo sportsman re-
spect the laws and refrain from potting
game birds or killing non-game birds as a
pastime
Third.-Have all OF the vast number OF
school children in the country taught
ornithology in the schools from the kim
dergarten to the college, In order that
they may know the economic value OF
birds and thus be made their protectors
Fourth. Let the farmers clubs and in
stitutes take up the subject OF bird pro-
lection, for it is of vital Importance to
them There Is no other class to whom
the subject appeals so strongly from the
| economic side as to the agriculturist or
| the fruit grower The farmers of the
present day are much more advanced In
| their methods than were their ancestors,
| even those OF few generations back
Farming is now done largely on scien-
tific principles. helped by study and re-
search in chemistry. etc. During the year
| 1899 the Farmers OF tne lHlteu oleles
| paid for labor alone the sum of 1855 800.
IN (taken from twelfth census. 1900. but
the most important helpers that the farm
| er has taJse that work without pay
| and lighteo his labors. or. rather permit
his labors 10 be rewarded. are rapidly
being destroyed simply because the farm
err has not made himself acquainted with
the good they do him.
The birds protect the farmer They
work for him more faithfully and contin-
uousy than any other helper he can get.
Let the farmer recognize this and in turn
let him protect the birds. 1t would be
! wise investment in actual dollars and
cents for every farmers club and insti-
tute in this land to employ an ornitholo-
gist to teach the names of the birds
about them and the part that each one
takes in the preservation Of natures bal
ance | believe that when the farmers.
their wives and their children once be-
come we'll acquainted with the good the
| birds do in the meadows and orchards
the gardens and forests, 1t will be dan.
eerous for any one to destroy one OF the
feathered helpers. Hasten the day!
Finally, let all Of the above forces
combine and in the states where the
bird laws are not satisfactory forcibly
demand that their legislators shall i'm
mediately enact law to protect the
birds.