New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-07
MRS. SAGE TO SAVE BIRDS
Buys Marsh Island, La, for
Permanent Winter Refuge.
IT COST HER $4,000
Friends of Birds Will Literally
Thank God, and Take Cour-
age" DR.. Hornaday Says.

"So, LIZ uoIHdudy Gays.
Mrs. Russell Sage has purchased Marsh
Island. La, for bird refuge, with the
Intention Of defeating it in perpetuity
TO this purpose and of placing it's control
in whatever hands will best accomplish
her object, either the federal government
or the State OF Louisiana or some asso-
citation organized for the purpose.
The island, which has been acquired at
a cost OF about $4,000, is on the gulf
coast. southwest of New Orleans. 1t
has long been known as a famous winter
feeding ground for ducks, geese. herons
and various other migratory birds, and
has for many years been the most popu-
lar resort in the South for market gun
ners. 1t is about eighteen miles long and
nine miles wide at its broadcast part and
contains approximately 5000 acres.
The matter was brought TO Mrs. Sage's
attention by Edward A. McIlhenny of
Avery Island, La, who In conjunction
with Charles Willis Ware of Michigan,
recently gave l3,00O-acre bird refuge on
Nermllion Bay to the State Of Louisiana"
said Robert Wade Forest Mr.. Ward
then founded the magazine The Illus
trated outdoor World" to further the
work Of establishing a chain of bird ref
uges across the continent.
THE first issue in April of this maya
zine contained the announcement of this
plan and the purchase of options on
Marsh Island as the most important bird
refuge in the South, for sl2,5OO by Mr..
Ward as the first step in the work
planned"
Regarding the purchase of Marsh Island
by Mrs Sage, DR.. w. T. Hornaday, d.
rector OF the New York Geological Gar
den, said
1T is the most delightfully."- startling
coup that has been executed in behalf of
the birds of North America since the Will
of David Wilcox financed the National
Audubon Society. Tie news seen- alto
gcther too good to be true. Mr. Neil
benny is a most fortunate man to awaken
and find that his wild and impossible
dream has been realized more fully than
even lie had dared TO imagine.
In view of the awful condition Of the
remnant Of the birds Of North America
he men and women on the firing line
need all the encouragement they can get.
Only to-day a man from Brooklyn whom
never had seen asked casually at the
end OF business interview: Tell me, why
is it that birds are getting SO fearfuly
scarce in Prospect Park? There are fewer
zach year. Now, for instance, etc.
II said, How many BIRDS are there now
each year In Prospect Park in total num-
her in comparison with what you saw
twenty years ago?' Why he exclaimed.
there Is not more than one bird to-day
for every fifty that were In Prospect Park
and Greenwood Cemetery twenty years
ago" And so II IS all over the United
States.
ut is n matter OF official record that
during twelve months OF the killing sea-
son Of l9o9-'lO the enormous total Of $780,
5S5 game birds were slaughtered In DOui-
siana. Nor does that tale OF terrible car
mage include the robins and other crop
protecting birds that were killed by thou
sands by the negroes and poor whites for
food Around New IBERIA. a short dis
lance north Of Marsh Island, at least ten
thousand robins are killed for food every
winter
Excepting Currituck Sound. Marsh Isl
and IS. ! think, the most. important WIN
ter feeding ground for Wild ducks and
geese that exists anywhere in the South.
To 1t the wild fowl OF the central United
States resort I'm winter 10 find food and
shelter when the northern streams and
lakes are locked fast under fee and food
is no longer obtainable IN them.
I'm the spring those birds go north In
a great fan-shaped fight that reaches all
the way 10 Manitoba and spreads from
Ohio TO Nebraska. The water birds that
winter on Marsh Island are mallards, can
vasbacks. teal. black duck. blue geese and
snow geese. The other birds are thou
sands OF herons. bitterns, looms, rails and
shore birds Of many species.
Il think that Marsh Island is destined
70 play an important part In preserving
the unfortunate snowy and American
egrets. the birds that are cursed by the
possession Of pumos that are literally
worth their weight in gold. Nowhere IN
the world may the white egrets now I've
in unprotected colonies.
put in two years time the egrets OF
the Avery Island rookery, founded ana
protected for twenty years by Mr.. Mcu-
benny. will find that Marsh Island has
been purchased by Mrs. Sage and Is now
cafe haven OF refuge They VIII colo
nize that Island. and twenty years from
now II will contain 5000 breeding pairs.
And think how the birds will multiply In
,hat sanctuary as the years go by!
Marsh Island is great achievement
In its purchase and dedication 10 the
birds OF America Mrs. Sage mas done Il
great public service. When the friends o., OF
the birds hear Of It they Will literally
,bank God and take courage