The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1909-01-09
CENSUS OF BIRDS TO SHOW BUrcHERY.

A New York correspondent writing
to the ST. Louis Gl0be-Dem0cyats says:
"To save the crops, woods aud waters
of America for future Americans by
preserving the birds, without whose
services few growing things can sur
vive on the continent, is the object of
a special campaign begun in this city
recently. At the request of the lead
ers of the movement at Washington,
the National Association of Audubon
Societies has enlisted in the general
conservation crusade with all its work
ing forces that for years have labored
to this end. As first step, to show
the rapid decline in the feathered re-
sources of the nation, census of the
game and forest birds of the country
has been projected by the association.
Give of the leading ornithologists
and workers in the Audubon Associ-
alton were selected at the New York
meeting as committee to represent
the interests of bird protection in CO.
operation with other elements in the
national conservation organization.
With William butcher, president Of
the National Association of Audubon
Societies, there will be on this COM
mittee Edward Howe Forbush, who
is in charge Of the association S New
England department; T. Gilbert
Pearson, head of its Offices in the
South Frank NJ Chapman, leader
in Audubon field work, and DR.. 7. S.
Palmer, prominent in the Government
Biological Survey, as we'll as an ac-
tive member of the association. With
the assistance of the authorities at
Washington this committee hopes to
be ready soon to show the people of
the United States striking evidences
of the effect of bird butchery upon
their chief resources.
ITO take complete census of the
game and forest birds over every
square mile of every section of this
country is regarded as one of the
hardest tasks the Audubon workers
ever have undertaken in their labors.
Thousands of detailed question blanks
are to be sent to representatives and
friends of the association the country
over, as we'll as to every known war
den, ornithologist and official in touch
with local conditions. On the obser-
vations of this small army of bird
lovers and experts comparative CEN
sus will be based, and the Audubon
officials believe it will show an ap-
palling decrease in natures feathered
forces.
Forest fires such as devastated the
country this fall are said by the Audu-
bon authorities in this city to have
caused wholesale destruction of Amer
ica's bird races. With every tree
consumed by the flames homes were
lost to breeding birds, while millions
of the migratory focks persisted in the
CONGREGATIONS. 1t lis known that reg
iInents of the smaller species have
been confused and lost in the smoke
clouds of the burning regions.
When we have proved in this
way the tremendous and growing de-
struction of bird life, which is serious
ly threatening the crops and general
material welfare of every American,
we believe the whole country will
come to support our work, said Presi-
dent butcher at the Audubon Socie-
ties headquarters. 1t is high time
that the people were made to realize
the prime economic Importance of our
efforts to protect the nations bird re-
sources. This l feel sure the pro-
posed census will accomplish. Be-
yond the part in the conservation
movement which we have undertaken
we shall continue to push our other
work just as far as the necessary help
of patriotic citizens will permit