The Washington herald., 1912-10-16
IRS. RUss|IRlLlL' | slGB
GIVES BIRDS SLFETY
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I lsrs lovers svseywhSss afs sxssalins
thanks. ID NrsL Russell sass for hsr 1At-
lest benencsncs 70 animated nature. Ths
purchase Of Narsh Island, La. - Q
refuge and feeding ground for nigsstesy
birds win 90 Q long, way toward pFv-
serving the beautiful s0asytefs and VIA
fowl that within recent year1 have 1beea
fast siipping away from u8 S
In the South. where the birds are found
In great nocks on their mlgrations from
the ssmi-tropics. they ars shot dtwn.
scores at q time, by hunters Who take
lCng a. they can get their spolls for
market. At best, the laws for bird pro-
lection are not adequate anywhere. but
In some Of the Southern States. whore
aafeguarding 10 particularly needed.
there ID only the most superficial leg
islation In their behalf And when the
birds that we have with us the summer
long in meadows, woods. and sometimes
around our homes. reach their stopping
places or their winter homes no safe
shelter awaits them and they fan . prey
10 the ready shotgun.
Prsteetive Legislatiea.
Fortunately. the Audubon Society and
other bird interests have been able 10
secure some protective legislation where
1t was most needed. else the summer
scngsters would be 20 rare that We
would scarcely catch . glimpse even OF
the familiar robin. the exquisite blue
bird. or the sunny oriole.
But they tell US when the robins make
their flight In the spring hundreds Of
M y.Ns OF ha rN6.fhponfA6 hlpda ara
killed on the way. and other song birds
meet the same sorry fate. Indeed. some
species have quite disappeared. while
others that some years ago were found
ic vast fiocks now pass back and forth
In scanty numbers.
Because the robins happen to be the
most familiar Of all our summer guests
and because We have grown to watch
them making homes and sturdily LOOKING
strikes q bit close when ~ read that
down In Louisiana few years ago q
SINGLE "sportsman' brought down 800 in
Just one play day. And in Tennessee.
where the robins have grown very tame.
they are caught In q ruthless sort OF
way, at least that ID the way some of
the natives have Of getting their plunder.
The birds roost In young cedars. ana at
night the mara uders seek them out with
tOICne8, uBlUk CIuUS AOl tuC Aooe ~ SIS
the bird tragedies. And some, they say.
are caught as they sleep.
The robin is by no means the most
beautiful or the most sought OF all the
song or plumage birds. Indeed. he falls
far below the more brilliant ones. But
he happens to have grown rather dear
to most Of US for his pretty bit Of color.
his dashing song. and his hardy self at
astime when We are longing for all he
promises-the glorious springume. Ana
we are glad to think that he and thou
sands Of others Of the feathered tribe
will hnd q place where they may feeo.
rest. and abide IN safety.
Valuable Refuge.
Marsh Island 10 particularly valuable
refuge for the birds. for feeding. nesting.
for stoppins-places. and for permanent
homes. wild fowl flock there In great
abundance, wayfarers from farther south
and from away up North stop on their
miErations and birds of high and low
degree make It . way-station or q home.
as II happens. And the hunters mock
there with the birds, and q heavy toll
they take in bird life, bird plumage. ana
bird song.
The kindly benefaction of Mrs. Sage
will allow the birds. Of passage to nest
and feed in safety. and we shall all rich
y reap the Deneut-OlTQS, Ouo-ioveru,
farmers, and all. For some of these
wonderful song and plumage birds do
more than just enrich the world with
their beauty and soft melody-they are
the finest most effective crop wardens
the farmers ever knew. And We owe
them protection and a safe refuge, even
though We did not love them for the
cheer and the beauty they bring.
Should Have Uniform Projections.
But one wishes that we might have
uniform legislation for their protection.
East, West, North, and South. Then:
with sanctuaries here and there. there
would be no more fear of determination.
Yes there Is one more thing: We
would like to zee the passing Of the
fashion bidding the wearing Of the plu-
mage OF song birds And still another:
The passing Of the sport" of carrying q
gun in the country and shooting birds
for the pure love Of 1t. For both are
very unworthy customs both revealing
something underneath the surface that
does not speak of the better, brighter
nature that has a love for every living
thing. -