The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-16
HOW G|2DS And GAME
ANIMALS ARE WIPED out

one OF the greatest economic problems
which civilized man has to solve is that
OF preventing the extinction of usefui
animals.
The nineteenth century marked the
greatest determination Of birds and MANI
mails known to history. Already since
the beginning Of the twentieth century
two species OF North American birds have
disappeared and many others are now in
imminent danger OF extinction. A care
full study OF the subject shows that the
determination of most animals that have
disappeared in recent years is attributable
to the white man. Savage tribes have un-
doubtedly contributed to the extinction OF
species. but mainly 90 supply demand
for food. hides. fur. or festhers created
by the whites.
Granting man. by reason OF superior in
tellect the right TO decide the fate of the
lower animals. we admit that in self de-
fence he must exterminate those creatures
that destroy human dife and property or
hinder the march OF civilization. From
this point of view. the destruction of the
American bison. the grizzly bear and the
rattlesnake becomes desirable, In India,
where all animal life Is held sacred by the
native population. 20.256 peaple and As. 701
cattle were killed by wild animals and
poisonous snakes in 1878. and this was not
an unusual year Such statistics Justify
the cxtermination OF carnivorous beasts,
but nothing can excuse the wanton de-
struction of useful animals IL man is the
chief cause OF the determination of spe-
cies the remedy rests with the state and
can be applied by the state whenever the
causes are understood. The lone study OF
these causes is next i'm order.
FLIGHTLESS FIRST TO co.
The extlrpation of species proceeds most
| rapidly and is best observable on islands
In tho sea. which are Inhabited by ami
mails not found elsewhere. Flghtless birds
are quickly exterminated. Many are kill
ed by man for food: but among the ex-
terminatvc factors must be reckoned the
introduction OF domestic animals. which
are allowed TO run wild. particularly dogs
cats and hogs. all OF which destroy the
eggs and young of birds Cats exter-
| minated the fiightless rails on Aldabra,
| and the rabbits on Sable Island. Eight
species found on a single Antilean island
disappeared after Its settlement. and six
vanished from another Many Hawaiian
| species. comorant used for food by the
| settlers In Bchring sea, an aux. and n
duck on the Atlantic coast: a crane. a
spoonbill and bustard, on the British
Islands, and many other birds and NAM
maIs on islands were exterminated during
the nineteenth century.
Many ancient forms of birds and other
animals of New Zealand found nowhere
else In the world. were exterminated, part.
| ~ by man direct, and partly through his
| mistaken Introduction of rabbits. and the
| iurther error OF introducing ferrets and
other carnivorous animals TO prey upon
tho rabbits In some cases the removal OF
the forests or the breaking up Of the land.
IN others fire, and. in others sttl, the
nuilung or BIRDS for their plumago con-
trbuted TO tho final result
ON THE CONTINENT.
The causes OF the extinction of animals
on Islands effective as they are in small
areas, cannot nevertheless serve 10 ex-
plain the disappearance of species from
the continent OF North America or from
large parts OF II. Nor can we account for
such extensive destruction by storm.
famine. disease or other natural causes
over such great areas FOR when such vls.
tations occur there are always survivors
TO perpetuate the species. In 1895 for ex-
ample. nearly all the blueblrds OF New
England were killed in migration by
cold wave In tho south. but within six
or seven years there were as many blue
birds here as before this catastrophe
Those American animals that have dis
appeared since the settlement OF the
country have vanished before the ad-
vance Of civilization. A species is first
eNtifpated from the East and then from
tho West. with very few exceptions the
extcrmlnatcd species are those that in-
lured mans property or those that he
Killed for food or profit Hence we find
most rapidly disappearing the eagle the
wolf, the bear, and the game birds and
mammals or those having the most val
liable fur or feathers. The larger man.
mals and game birds go first because Of
their greater size and value. Therefore
the wild turkey and wild swan are extir-
pated while tho grouse and the smaller
Wild fowl remain; but eventually the in
crease OF population, the breaking up OF