The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-10-17
GUARD BIRD BROODS
Audubon WardenS Report on
Nations NestlingS.
COUNTRY's HEALTH AT STAKE
Sea-bird scavangers and Insect-eat-
Jig Waterfowl Getting scnrce-EGg
Hunters and Plume Robbers ViO-
late Law on Coast and LRkes-Ex-
termination Is Checked.

New York, Oct l6.-That the threatened
determination of the valuable birds Of the
sea coasts and lakes OF this country has
been checked to some extent by the oper-
alton OF reservations during the past
year is announced at the headquarters
of the National Association Of Audubon
Societies Of this city
At some fifty points along both shores
Of the continent and on its inland waters
the breeding birds have this season been
shielded from the ravages Of egg poach-
ers, plume hunters. and market butchers,
according 20 annual reports that have
just been received from the wsrdens en-
ployed by this association. In over 30
per cent OF these bird refugees. which the
Audubon workers are struggling 10 main
tain with the help OF the government. in
creases Of from 10 to 50 per cent in the
sea birds and water fowl most econom-
ically useful to the people OF the nation
are reported.
HAVE TnlZen n Census.
on the waters OF Maine, Massachu-
sets. New York. New Jersey. Virginia,
North Carolina. South Carolina, Florida,
louisiana. Mississippi, Michigan, Mime
sofa, North Dakota. Washington, and
Oregon a careful census has been made
Of tho bird broods reared this year in the
breeding places set aside by the govern
ment or leased by State and national
Audubon societies. While the wardens
generally report that the sea birds and
water fowl are rapidly multiplying with
/ in the limited territory IN which they arc
| guarded from human devastation, storm
tides, the wholesale checks OF nature, arr
/ held responsible in half a dozen notable
/ instances for the destruction OF thousands
/ OF the young OF species on whose activi-
/ ties the country must rely for the dis
/ posal OF floating refuse and the cOnsum
/ ing OF harmful insects.
4 Throughout the regions where the shor'
/ birds must still breed unguarded th'
raids Of plume hunters are threatening
/ the nation with the rapid extinction o
| some species OF these birds. according q
ornithologlsts who have summarized III
/ situation on the basis Of these records.
Egg Hunters SHn Active.
More than 2lcOO eggs Of gulls. herons
and terms are reported as taken. IN tn
/ temporary absence Of one warden, by al
egging expedition on the Breton ISLAM
reservation. of Louisiana. in violation o
Federal statute. Only a score OF IN
herons. whose nuptial plume furnishe
! the aigrette to the millinery market. ar
/ reported as surviving recent butchery OF
each OF two Audubon reservations Il
South Carolina and Florida. From war
dens stationed on both the Upper Atlanu
and Pacific coasts and the inland water
OF the country good promise OF savin
and increasing the birds in their charg
is held out.
Plague and pestilenCe viii surely fcl
low the determination OF the sea Dir
scavengers along our coasts and GRO
pests viii run riot about the milan
waters II their insect-eatng water TOW
are allowed 20 become extinct" sal
William butcher. president OF the Ma
tional Association of Audubon SOcietie.
az his headquarters. al Broadway. q
day. ''Our wardens are doing a nobl
work fin shielding the breeding birds frOr
human harm, but the natural checks
bird life, such as storm tides, fogs, for
est fires. and cold storms during migrH
ton. operate each year 70 thin the rank
Of the birds. The only way TO Offset IN
natural losses Of bird life is 70 exten
this bird refuge work and prevent III
activities OF the commercial despoilers.