The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-06-07
FEAIHERED FOREST SAVERS
Bird Life Protection as Move to
Conserve Nations Wealth.
Audubon Society Begins Campaign
for Uniform Laws to Prevent
killing of Birds.

That no factor in the problem OF con-
serving the land, water. and forest re-
sources Of this nation equals that which
nature has provided In the feathered wild
life Of the continent Is the opinion ex-
pressed by leading ornithologlsts In this
city. Following the conference Of gov
errors in Washington. officers OF the Ma
tional Association of Audubon Societies
have decided 20 offer the cooperation OF
their organization in this great work
in pushing which the association has
been the pioneer and only active or
ganlzation ever since its incorporation.
Although the workers for bird preserva-
ton were not represented at he guber-
material conclave at the White House.
/ the government authorities have assured
them that the protection Of the insect
eaters that insure life to crops, woods
and waterways should be one of the first
practical means to tine general end
Crops flourish and forests stand to con-
serve land and water, largely through the
activities of the existing bird guard that
ceaselessIy fights their natural destroy
ers. the investigators OF the government
]
! $500. 900. 900 TO the crops of the country last
year. due 10 killing OFF their guardian
hocks, the corresponding effect on woods
and waters may be reckoned in the bill.
/ lions Of dollars, the Audubon workers de.
clare Uniform laws for bird protection
II adopted by the States, would go far
to ward off these growing inroads OF in
sects and other pests. they say.
While the value OF the birds to the
| farmer. orchardist, and planter has for
years been recognized, II Is believed by tho
authorities that their Importance in pre-
serving the forests is not generally
known. According TO recent report OF
/ the government, insects alone cause ar
annual loss to the trees Of the country
| estimated at over a hundred million
dollars.
Ranked next to the insect. which is the
| chief enemy Of the forests, are destruc-
/ tive vegetable growths and the attacks
of mice. wood rats. rabbits. and Other
/ small animals. Careful analysis OF their
/ food shows that many species of WOOD
birds make away with the unwholesome
vegetable matter.
las a national asset and resource, the
! life and labors Of the birds comes clearly
within the scope of the declaration Of
principles or the governors conference.
/ said William butcher. president of the
National Association Of Audubon Socie
| ties, at it's headquarters, al Broadway
1--WE agree with this distinguished body
that this conservation of our natural re-
sources is subject Of transcendent i'm
/ portance, which should engage unremit.
! tingiy the attention Of the nation, the
States. and the people in earnest coop
Grafton. For years we have labored
practically alone in the field, to force tho
nation to see the prime conserving force
of its bird life on the crops. woods, and
waters. That we shall keep up this I'M
| tagging fight. the leaders of this ma.
tional movement may be assured. II the
governors would work for uniform laws
for bird protection, feel sure they would
And no better means of forwarding the
great work which they have undertaken