The Thibodaux sentinel. (Thibodaux, La.) 1905-1912, 1908-01-04
WHY JOIN AUDoBoN SOCIETY.
Many Good Reasons Assigned For zts
Promotion.

SSNAA
sued by H. H. Kopman, special agent
Of the National Association of Audu-
bon Societies, now stationed at Jack
son, Miss. The circular is intended
to increase the membership in the
Missississippi Audubon Society, OF
which Andrew Allison, Of Ellisvilie,
Miss, is secretary, and to whom per-
sons desiring to join the Auiubon
Society in this state should send their
names.
1It viii deal fairly, hum neIy. and
economically in the matter OF bird
protection. It will deal economically
because it will insist on the proper
protection of birds that destroy in
sects and weed-seeds, the greatest
curses of the farmer. 1t will deal
fairly because it will serve the best
interests Of the greatest number; It's
object will be to secure the passage
of such laws that the use and enjoy
ment of birds and game will not he
confined to any particular class. 1t
will deal ihumanely because it will IN
sist that no birds or game be killed
unless some distinct good is to be ac-
complished; and because it will en-
deavor to save for the coming genera
tions of the state the abundant wing
ed life that means so much to tina
happiness, prosperity, and education
al improvement Of the people.
The fearful destruction AMI de-
crease of birds in this country have
been due to a few absolutely unneces-
sary causes, such as for the decora-
ton Of women's hats; or to satisfy
the greed and recklessness of poi
hunters. None Of these causes that
have resulted so disastrously to the
birds can be defended in the light OF
modern civilization. Every one OF
them is form of inhumanity and
criminal wastefulness. The bir Is that
have been sacrificed to the millinery
fashions have an immensely greater
value WlcH dl1Nt5 ds d LAC@li9 VI .'e
eating the ear, the eye and the heart.
The work of the pot hunter has
swept almost out Of existence the
game birds-a resource that should
have continued for years a means OF
moderate recreation and of variation
in the national diet.
The song-birds and other iaseetiv-
orous species killed by boy gunners
are worth thousands upon thousands
of dollars to the state in which they
are found. The cotton boil .weevll Is
causing an annual loss of $4,000, 900
to the cotton-growing districts now
infested with it the potato beetle cuts
out $1O,OOO,0O0 from the profits on
the potato crop; the cotton worm has
been known to cause years damage
amounting to $30,000,000. These are
the insects that make up large part
Of the diet of our birds! Who can
doubt that il is time to deal vigos-
ously with ti.ls subject, and who can
afford to overlook the responsibility
that rest on the people in this matter.
Italy is an example Of a country
largely stripped Of its birds and the
picture that it presents, as described
by graphic and faithful writers,
should be sufficient to urge upon
good citizens immediate and decisive
action in this vital matter. If you
can't work for the cause, give a
membership due If you cant spare
a membership due, speak to those
who can. Be fair to the best interests
Of the State, and do what you can,
no matter how little. 1t is tax, but
a small one, and the returns will as
tanish you'