Putnam patriot., 1913-11-28
DON'T KILL
How to Help Preserve Our Birds
Your Best And Most Valuable Friend.

TOUT pest Ana mosl Na.uapIe friends
 The wide spread and growing inter. est in the protection of our birds is not a mere fad of the moment, passing fancy, because il is based on the ap- preciation of one of natures great facts that mankind is actually dependent on them for existence. They are man. kinds sole defence against the ravages of insect pests which damage the far. mer's crops to an extent estimated at annually. No wiser or more pencil. cent legislation has ever been enacted than that which prohibits the killing of these delightful migratory and song birds, these ever active feathered friends. It is the part of all, parents especially, to teach boys, in particular, the absolute necessity of sparing all birds with only few noxiousIexcep- tions such as the Cooper's hawk. "In case of doubt do not kill.R
 Our game birds are regarded as in q different category, but much may be said in favor of a wise moderation in their destruction. They are welcome addition to the table. It may be said truly that this is what they are for. It is quite right to use for this purpose a little less than their natural increase for population grows and so should IN. IT ;.,t l.sI the goose that lays the golden egg. They too are friends of the farmer. For example, of four quail taken at ran dom and examined as to the contents of their stomachs, each had eaten from twenty to twenty-four potato bugs. It seems then that the quail help the far- mer in two ways; they destroy per- feet nuisance among insects in the spring and then later serve as food. How better can the farmer serve. his own interests than by keeping these valuable allies alive during the winter with an occasional handful or grain scattered where they can easily find il?
 To conserve this valuable food asset and at the same time aid in securing sport for all, rich and poor, is the ob feet of the Connecticut Fish and Game Protective Association which all who love to go afield in the fall of tue year with dog and gun, should join. To this association is largely due the pas sage of the present law placing these matters in the hands Of a non-partisan board of eight unpaid commissioners a law admitted to be both necessary and salutary. Surely such an association deserves not only the thanks but the active support of the community, for there is still much work to be done, as, for example, in obtaining "Breeder's Lawu authorizing the raising of deer and game birds in captivity for sale to l the people under regulations devised | for the good of all. It is the benefit of vidual which should govern the word l ing of the law and the framing cf the | rules under which il is put intotexeeu- tion. There are other things which the Association has in view, recogmz ing its duty to the public at large-bul this one case is sufficient to show thai the association is public benefactor
 It's need of funds is not nearly as greal as it's need of practically universa
 sentiment in its favor. The larger it: membership the more it can speak fol
 the residents of our state, the pionee
 in many enactments flor the preserva
 ton of bird life-a record of which VI
 are exceedingly proud.
 Women and men who do'nos shoot
 as well as sportsmen ought to join thi
 association if only in proof of thei
 good citizenship and of their readiness
 to help, in worthy cause, those wh'
 bear the burden of the struggle. Th' ! secretary is H. P. Carter of New Brit 1 tin, to whom applications for mem
 bership may be addressed.
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