The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1908-10-09

man luClUtcN, MaluI tam an average
degree of abundance and distribu-
ton from season to season. But as
civilization progresses, mans use
on removal Of certain species results
in an unbalancing Of the system
Of checks by which nature prevents
too rapid an increase Of one species
at the expense Of another.
The most notable of such changes
in this and other countries has
been the increase Of insect life
following the destruction Of
great areas Of forest, and conse-
quent decrease Of insect life that
formerly preyed on the bird in
sects. Not only has the partial
disappearance Of bird-life brought
about this abnormal increase Of
insects, bat the new conditions de-
veloped 10y the practice of modern
agriculture are very favorable to in
sects, and render the birds more
necessary than they have ever been
before
Probably no one factor has so
greatly deferred the progress of the
Audubon movement as the notion
that its promoters are actuated by
motives largely or wholly sentiment
tai. 1t goes without saying that the
member of the Audubon Society
are opposed to any kind of needless
destruction or to any intentional
,.,.t.1l+1- 81, 4aa1t,rr NIL, L;v,1~ ,,J
denounce all so-called sport of
which the sole object is to destroy.
Yet it takes this ground not merely
for humane reasons, but even more
largely for economic reasons. The
economic test is the first one to be
applied to any bird Is it useful?
If so, let it be protected IN every
reasona bic way If on the other
hand, it is destructive. and general
ly 50, the right to be protected
from its depredations should not be
interfered with. Should its
character prove neutral, without
direct effect on economic con
ditions, the ordinary dictates of
humanity viii prevent its being
molested, and such sentiment will
in every case have the unqualified
endorsement Of the Audubon So
ciety.
Aside from the misunderstanding
that has arisen in regard to its
work there is another obstacle that
prevents the accompIishmentofm more
good by our society. This is the
innate desire to kill, that seems to
dwell in many breasts, especially
of our hOys
We recognize that real sport has
an irresistible appeal for most man
ly natures, but we cannot under
stand the motive that prompts
hunting where the only result is the
extinction Of life. In order to in
dulge THE desire and yet to prevent
its being recognized as the true in
centive for slaughter, birds are
often charged with crimes against
farmers of which they are undoub-
tedly innocent.
1t Is wanton killing that the
Audubon Society strives especially
to suppress. 1t would educate the
people to the belief that there is
nothing either pleasant or profitable
in the killing of a bird merely be-
cause it is a bird, but that the rea-
sons for sacrificing any Of these
creatures should be found in some
circumstance that makes
such action necessary. The killing
of game birds, for instance, is not
because it Is accom-
panied by some definite benefit, /
legitimate recreation, sup
plying food Of the best quality, I
out much that is whole +
some in men, and keeping them in
touch with the natural world.
The killing of destructive birds.
such as the English sparrow IN the
country ana a few OF the native
species is sometimes as absolutely +
But the Audubon So
ciety insists that the desire to kill
'or the sake of killing too frequent
Y controls the conduct Of our peo-
pie towards the birds, and that in
stead of looking for reasons to kill +
hem we should regret the neces- 1
AIRY of destroying them, and
hould refrain from doing -, I'M
ess they are destructive or unmis-
akably intended by nature for
nan ; use as objects Of the healthy
lunting instinct and as articles Of
let.
What we especially desire to see
II the treatment of all feathered
ife is more careful consideration ;
f the attributes of each species
! popular prejudice against some
kind of bird frequently
xists in direct contradiction of
THAT has been shown by careful
esearch To be the truth of the case.
'urther facts in this respect will
e brought out by the audubon
'oeiety in its publicity contribu-
loEs from time to time but at
resent it will suffice to say that it I
; easier to get rid of destructive
pecles once it has been proved so
y careful investigation than it is