Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-25
CENSUS Of OUR BIRDS.
Biological Surveys Plan to
Protect Them More Etfcc-
lively
TO APPEAL TO CONGRESS
Necessary Authority and Money Need
cd Will 30 Asked-6tart Already
Made In Indiana Toward Enumera-
ton Of Songstcrs.

ZION OF SOnQSt0FS.
A census of the bird population is
badly wanted by the United States
biological survey, and it is quite likely
one will be attempted, says Wash
ington correspondent of the New York
Globe Almost every other kind OF
census has been set on foot In the
United States. but thus far there has
never been count OF the robins. the
swallows, the sparrows. the blnejays
and other archaeological varieties.
Nobody has the faintest idea how
many birds are III the United States or
what kind Of birds are the most numer-
Gus. There are various substantial
reasons, as the officials Of the biolog-
ical survey say why bird census
should be taken. and it is expected the
necessary authority and whatever
money is needed for the task VIII be
asked Of congress- when the regular
appropriation fer the agricultural de-
partment. OF which the biological sur
yey IS part, IL Eiaitie w.
Protection OF the birds OF the coun-
try In much more effective fashion
than Is now afforded Is the object back
Of the proposed bird census. Now,
there is little means OF knowing what
is happening to the birds OF different
species, whether one Is increasing or
diminishing in numbers. Nor can 1t Ike
reckoned whether certain species are
as numerous az Is economically advan-
tageous.
Many birds are Of value to the farm
err and T. humankind generally, and
scientists who make study OF the
subject are able to say about how
many there should be per acre or to
any given stretch Of territory for the
purpose of doing the most good and
the least injury II there is to be bet
ter protection for birds. 1t will be
worth while to know all possible about
the number there are in the country OF
different varieties.
Already start has been made to-
ward enumeration Of the birds. 1t has
been made in Indiana. under the direc-
tIon Of Professor Forbes, well known
In biological circles. 1t has to be done
by observation from one end Of the
state to the other, seeing for them
selves how numerous relatively are
the different varieties ard consulting
with residents: freely as to the number
Of birds observed about farmhouses
and other residences, the number OF
mating pairs and the like.
The different states are doing great
deal for bird protection but there still
remains much to be done. Large num-
bers are ruthlessly slaughtered. One OF
the chief lrlstrumentalities for killing
off birds are the Italian colonies that
are scattered about the country. along
railroads in repair or construction
principally. Birds are killed for food
by the million in Italy. and the Ital-
fans do the same thing here.
Before there eau be any adequate
bird protection it will be necessary to
have international Understanding and
regulations on the subject. Sugges-
lions to undertake bird protection IN
an international way have been made
from various countries. but this gov
eminent has given them little counte--
nance. The fact is. however, that
great numbers of the birds Of the
United States are killed Off while they
are away at their winter resorts In
South America. They are slaughtered
there largely for millinery uses, and
legions of birds that go down to the
equatorial regions when winter comes
ON return only as ornaments to be put
on the hats Of women.