The Washington herald., 1908-01-26
SEA BIRDS AS SCAYENGERS
Fear That Plague May Follow Havoc
Of Poachers.
Audubon Society seeks Adequate
Number of Wardens to Protect
Fowl on Pacific.

New York, Jan. 25.-For want Of ward
ems along the hundred miles Of Pacific
Coast. recently reserved as a bird refuge.
millions OF water fowl may suffer death
10 themselves and their young az the
nesting season, 1t was declared here to-
day With thousands OF acres OF such
breeding havens. which they have previ-
0usiy obtained and must patrol with
hardy and expert men. the National As
sociauon Of Audubon Societies finds f-self
to-day unable 20 extend its bird guard
over the newly acquired stretch Of mae
ccssible seaco8st.
Unless funds are forthcoming for this
economic movement officers OF the asso-
citation declared to-day, American bird life
would again suffer such ravages as are
admittedly bringing its valuable sea-bird
species close to the point Of extinction.
Both men and boats OF the stanchest
sort are required for the perilous work Of
patrolling the reefs and rocks Of the nest
ing birds I'm all winds and weather Some
$500 was devoted by the Audubon work
ers last year to providing this protection
against poachers FOR the defenseIess birds
on their breeding grounds To extend
this service 10 the new refuge, which the
government has just ceded. several thou
sands Of dollars more viii be required
Beyond paying the wardeus 81 a month
for the purpose Of their nominal control,
the Federal authorities have left the en-
tire burden Of maintaining this little army
Of bird guards upon the National Ass0ci-
alton of Audubon Societies
Just what New YORK City would soon
become without its Street-CleaninE depart
mont, oruitholosists asserted here to-day,
the entire seaboard regions of America
Will soon be if the water fowl are allowed
to approach extinction much longer. As
scavengcrs the sea birds are the only
agents that stand between the people of
this country and pestilence. they declare.
Once the birds become so few as to allow
the coast refuse TO accumulate the entire
country will stand in grave danger of be-
ing swept by plague.
Only the annual s. bills OF less than
1000 members of the National Association
Of Audubon Societies to-day support the
extensive work of this body. of which the
economic movement 10 preserve the ma
tons sea fowl is only a small part. With
these and the limited endowment at their
command the workers Of the association
are to-day unable to carry out adequately
the work of preserving the sea fowl.
which has become national in scope. Un-
less several thousand persons, represent
ing every section of the country. enroll
with these Audubon workers this year
much in the economic campaigns which
demand their support must be left un-
done
"The nations sea fowl must be pre-
served now or never. said William
butcher, president of the association, at
its headquarters, 1fl Broadway. recently.
ITO carry out this great economic work
IN time we must have the moral as well
as financial support of at least 5000 MEM
bers. ] feel sure we are going to find as
many and more thinking persons in this
country who Will consider it a patriotic
privilege 20 enroll in a movement so es-
sential to the health. wealth, ard general
we'll being Of the entire country, entirely
aside from sentimental and esthetic mo-
tfr-,e