The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-09-12
PROTECTION FOR
COUNTRY'S BIRDS
Bird Population In Rural Districts a.
Well AZ In Cities Can be In
creased, Says Bird Man.

A country wide appeal for cooper
alton in the effort to protect and con-
serve all species OF birds in being
made by the California Humane 50
Hugh J. Baldwin president of the
organization, in a bulletin which has
been widely circulated all over the
United States. says:
let us, before 1t is too late. pro-
tect and defend the native birds OF
our cities. Who would refuse to aid
the oriole or California hooking bird
that sings at our door Yet we grad.
ually drive these birds from our
midst. How frequently we hear the
statement, Penny wise and pound
foolish not applying to the activities
OF the average person, but to society
in general, as well as to our govern
ment, city. county. state and nation.
My attention has been called to the
thoughtless economic policy pursued
toward the bird life % our city from
the standpoint Of the welfare OF the
municipality as we'll as Of the birds.
For the past year have been
studying the birds and the city from
a reciprocal point Of view, and also a
comparison OF conditions that pre-
vailed twenty or more years ago.
when the humane societies of Cali
fornia, by moral suasion. occurred the
cooperation OF the teachers in cor
recting the vicious and barbarous
annual custom OF children robbing
birds nests of eggs or young In fact,
most of us remember that every
spring found the boys on Saturdays
and holidays out in the country as
well as in the city, hunting birds
nests.
This cruel activity has passed,
through the efforts of the humane
societies and noble hearted people OF
our state, who generously paid the
necessary expenses. With all this
brutal play OF the child in years past,
the thoughtlessness of our people of
today, through and by the garbage
ordinance in every city is equally ef-
fective in the determination of our
birds.
do we wish the bffdA to sing 20 us
in our cities? Do We wish them to be
with US? Certainly we do. What Is
TO be done? Since the quantity or
scarcity OF food fs the determining
factor in the population Of birds, and
since the garbage regime is SO thor
oughly enforced in our cities that
birds are being starved out and forced
to find new localities for food, where
in many cases they become the prey
of hawks or are unable to survive the
exacting conditions of their environ
ment. 1t therefore becomes a duty for
us after each meal to separate that
which is bird food from the refuse OF
the kitchen and put it in quiet and
protected place for the birds Of our
Very soon they will
discover that good samaritan Is re-
siding in our home.
I'm addition to this we should al
low a few drops OF water from the
hydrant to fall into basin for the
birds to quench their thirst and in
which to take their needed baths,
With this humane policy toward.
the birds three changes in conditions
that we all desire will take place.
Il. The birds will become more
"2. The bird population would In
crease rapidly Ia most economic aues-
ton in diepatching OF Injurious In
sects, etc.
The songs Of the birds will
bring more Joy to the hearts of those
who toll and work In our cities.
Lazarus asked for the crumbs