Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-29
VALUABLE TO FARMERS
Damage Caused by Kingfshers,
Minks and Muskrats.
B0UNTIEs GIVEN FOR SKINS
Efforts of the Audubon Society Sup
ported by Public Sentiment-Is-
lands for Breeding Grounds.
BY WILLIAM F.. CURTIS

BY WILLIAM r. CURTIS.
Written for The star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
A. one Of the features of the admins
tration policy for the conservation Of
the natural resources of the country, fifty
seven bird preserves have been created
by proclamation of the President of the
United States i'm order to prevent all
shooting of song and plumage birds. and
to regulate the shooting of game birds
for the market. The recent demand OF
fashion for plumage to decorate hats has
caused an unprecedented slaughter of
birds. but that has been very largely
checked by the action of the federal
government and the cooperation of the
several states under the leadership of the
Audubon societies. Each year brings
clearer understanding among the people
of the need for the protection of birds,
both from humane and economical rea-
sons. The slaughter Of wild geese and
other fowls which live upon worms and
insects has cost the farmers of the
United States hundreds of millions Of
dollars, and has compelled them to devise
some other means of protecting their
crops from pests. now that those which
nature provided have. been recklessly de-
stroyed. The hunting license system.
whereby funds are provided to pay for
the employment of wardens and the en-
forcement of the laws is now in operation
in all but one or two states. and the prac-
tice of caring for wild game in severe
winter weather is spreading. A similar
awakening is manifest regarding nom
game birds and the farmers who realize
the efficient service they render voiunta-
rily in the protection of crops are demand
ing laws for their preservation.
The fifty-seven bird preserves are
chiefly government lands of little or no
agricultural value upon the seacoast
and fresh water lakes in North Dakota,
South Dakota, Michigan. Minnesota. Wis
consin. Oregon, Washington. Wyoming.
Montana, Utah, Arizona. Idaho. New
Mexico Louisiana. Florida and Alaska.
The action Of the federal government is
limited to states where there are public
lands, but several of the states have al
ready taken similar action and it is ex-
pected that others will undoubtedly fol-
low. These preserves are intended to be
sanctuaries where colonies OF birds may
take refuge during the migration and the
breeding season, and they have already
demonstrated the efficiency of the plan
as a means of increasing bird life. Sew
eral OF them comprise areas OF marsh
land that have ever been the breeding
grounds of wild fowl. One of them en-
braces several of the western Islands or
the Hawaiian group, and contains one OF
the largest breeding colonies of sea birds
in the world. Others consist OF reservoir
sites of reclamation projects. where the
little artificial lakes will doubtless at
tract many birds
The Carnegie institution sent experts to
the Tortugas Keys reservation opposite
the Florida coast to make an investiga-
ton of the habits and history OF sea-
birds. the problems of migration. the
homing instinct and other phenomena of
bird life The first results of this inquiry
were published recently and can be OBJ
taind upon application to the secretary
Of the Carnegie Institution, Washington,
D. C..