Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-06-18
After Bird Butchers.

NA0N "ASAS ANSAOAc VI VIZ AS--No
everglades have within the last three
years been robbed Of every vestige of
bird life to supply the worlds milli-
merry market with the plumsge of the
heron that formerly bred there in
countless plumbers has been reported
In New York. From several ornith-
ologists, who have just completed
survey of this section, reports have
been sent to the headquarters Of the
National Association of Audubon So
cieties declaring that where America
was most rich in tropical races of birds
it is totally barren today. At this rate
of devastation, it is asserted, the plume
hunters will leave this country entirely
stripped of all its birds of plumage
within FIVE years.
To balk the worldwide activities Of
the professional plume hunters, whose
forces have reached aud despoiled
Americas rarest resorts, England is
already taking firm steps. From end
to end the British Empire has been
ravaged as Florida has by the market
feather seekers. A bill similar to the
"model Law" which the Audubon work
ers have succeeded in leading almost
every State in this country to adopt.
is today being pressed by Lord Ave
bury in the House of Lofds for the
prohibition of the importation Of the
plumage, skin or body of all wild birds
except ostriches, elder ducks and birds
used as articles of diet. Acting upon
the startling reports from Florida, the
Audubon officials declare that laws
against the sale Of the trophies of this
butchery, irrespective of where they
were taken, will be urged throughout
this country. Although the English
bill is even more sweeping than the
Audubon "model law here, it is be-
lieved that with proper enforcement
the latter may serve to stay the en-
croaohment of the international COM
meroial bird slaughter. Eventually il
is the purpose Of the association to per-
feet an international organization to
check this securing Of the globe for the
adornmento of the nations at the expense
of bird life.
"The aesthetic reasons for checking
this universal butchery Of all birds
who bear the fatal charm OF beauty are
secondary" said William butcher,
president of the National Association
of Audubon Societies. "The primary
reasons are strictly economic. These
birds, entirely aside from their won
deriul delights as objects Of beauty,
form the basis of our nation health as
well as prosperity. What the street
cleaning department is to this metrop.
oils the sea birds are TO the whole coun-
try. As their activities as scaVengers
are checked by unnatural destruction,
pestilence and death will surely follow.
The birds stand at the foundation Of
ali our natural resources and our very
existence as well. To take up this
fight against the moneyed interests that
are killing our country's birds we need
the individual support-mOral and f.
nsncial-of every man, woman and
child in the country. 1t is reported
that we have been endowed with a
million dollars; but this is untrue, as
we depend solely upon the interest Of
less than third Of this sum, and the
annual FIVE dollar bills Of our sustain
ing members. Many millions are be.
hind our opponents. the business bird
butchers. "