The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-31

ture has provided in the featheret
wild life Of the continent is the opin
ion expressed by leading ornitholog
lists in this city to-day, Following
the conference Of governors in Wash
ington. officers of the National As
sociation of Audubon Societies have
decided TO offer the cooperation o
their organization in this great work
| in pushing which the association has
been the pioneer and only active or
ganization ever since its incorpora
ton. Although the workers for birt
preservation were not represented al
the gubernatorial conelave at the
White House, government authori'
ties have assured them that the pro-
lection OF the insect eaters that in.
sure life to crops, woods and water
ways should be one of the first prac-
teal means to the general end,
Crops flourish and forests stand TO
conserve land and water largely
through the activities OF the existing
bird guard that ceaselessly lights
their natural destroyers, the investi-
gators OF the government point out.
With known loss of over $SO0,OO0-
900 to the crops OF the country last
year due to killing off their guardian
hocks, the corresponding effect on
woods and water may be reckoned in
the billions of dollars, the Audubon
workers declare. Uniform laws for
bird protection, If adopted by the
states, would go lar to ward off these
growing inroads OF insects and other
pests, they say, and this might well
be the first step to be taken follow
ing the deliberations of the house OF
governors.
While the value OF the birds to the
farmer, orchardist and planter has
for years been recognized, it is be-
lieved by the authorities that their
importance in preserving the forests
is not generally known. According
to a recent report OF the government,
insects alone cause an annual loss to
the trees of the country estimated at
over hundred million dollars On
the oak alone four hundred species Of
insects which are sought and con-
sumed BY the birds OF the forest, prey
constantly, the experts OF the Biolo-
gical Survey have discovered. On
the willow 1856 such species constant
" attempt its destruction, on the
pine los, on the hickory l7O, on the
birch los and on the elm 60 Careful
analysis OF the stomachs of thousands
OF woodpeckers, titnice, creepers,
kinglets, wood warblers, wrens fly
catchers, swallows, nut matches and
other birds of the woods show that
their constant labor is to consume
just these devastating insects.
Ranked next to the insect, which
is the chief enemy of the forests, are
destructive vegetable growth 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 yegeta-
BILE matter. Hawks, owls and other
larger birds OF prey are constantly
on the watch to check the inroads OF
the harmful animal life about the
trees. Robins and other feathered
races have been shown to be the
greatest natural agency in distribut-
ing seed far and wide and causing
The forests to thicken and expand,
asserted here to-day.
"As a national asset and resource,
he life and labors Of the birds comes
,learly within the scope of the dec
aration of principles Of tthe Cover
1ors' conference; said William
butcher, president of the National
Association of Audubon Societies at
is headquarters, 14l Broadway to-
lay. 1--WE agree with this distin-
,uished body that this conservation
If our natural resources is subject
# transcendent Importance, which
hould engage unremittingly the at
ention of the nation, the states, and
he people in earnest cooperation.
7or years we have labored, practi-
ally alone in the field to force the
ation to see the prime conserving
orce of its bird life on the crops,
woods and waters. That we shall
eep up this unfagging fight the lead
rs of this national movement may be
ssured. If the governors would
york for uniform laws for bird pro-
ection ! feel sure they would find
70 better means of forwarding the
reat work which they have under
aken."