New Britain herald., 1926-06-01
BRONX 200 HEAD
 OUT AFTER 30 YRS.
Retiring Director Warns for
 Protection of Wild Life

New York, June 1 LPl- Ciyiliza- ton will wipe out the wild life of America-mammals, birds, fsh-un- less protective measures are taken, in the opinion of Dr. William T. Hornaday, who rotires today after 50 years Of service as director of the New York zoological park, popularly known as "The Bronx Zoo"
 Dr. Hornaday. who is now II years old, issued this warning after looking backward over his half cen Jury of intimate observation of wild creatures.
 The grinding power of civiliza- ton is sweeping our wild life out of existence at frightful rate" he said Continuous harassments and inJustices, both natural and other wise, are combining 10 exterminate wild life. Several species are al ready on the brink of extermination. The heath hen furnishes an example. With fewer than three score spcci- mems now alive.'
 Remedial Measures
 AS remedial measures Dr. Horna- day recommends the establishment of more game sanctuaries and fur ther limitation of the hunters bag limit. He has already been instru- mental in providing more than q million acres of safe retreat for bird and animal.
 He also prescribes control of na- tural enemies, foxes, crows, stray cats wildcats and weasles. Of the crow, whose sins and virtues have been long 3 point of argument, he said:
 The crow is a had citizen at nest ing time. They have increased enor- mously In a few spots Owls also have become more dangerous to song and game birds for the reason that intensive farming has greatly diminished their natural food sup ply, which consisted chiefly of mice. 1 We used 10 class the great horned | owl benefit; now We prefer to | have him shot,
 While advocating the control of | destructive animals and birds, Dr. | Hornaday was emphatic in declaring | he could not under any circumstance { countenanCe the eXtermination of . any form of life.
 Migratory birds, he said, are in {. the most immediate danger. He de- nied. as has from time 10 time been . reported, that ducks, geese and . Woodcock were on the increase. He f said this impression was gained 1 when the birds, during flight periods, mass together in small localities.
 Squirrels In Danger
 Squirrels were rapidly approach ing tho extermination point when they were saved. not by legislation, Dr. Hornaday pointed out, but by in dtviduals who protected the little animals on their own property. You will find more squirrels in towns and cities than you will in the forests" { he said.
 Dr. Hornaday has a colony of !. squirrels at his home at Stamford. yOAH' Iif lHt'ILIS u ltIllillH LuCIP 10 rewrte the zoo's guide book and other works. He is the author Of 13 volumes on animal and bird life.
 Before undertaking the organiza- ion of the Bronx zoo. Dr. Iornaday vas for Q years q field collector and 1evoicd another ] q years 10 musrum work. Until about 25 years ago he Nas an enthusiastic sportsman, "T finally grew sick Of seeing hi0gS killed and hearing if talked lho,1t." he said, "and the rast q cars have had moro satisfaction ,It of protective work than l could .et in aiding thc oXtormination."
 Trout Streams Another Of tn" nations unpardon- ble errors. he said. is permitting rout streams in all sections Of the ountry 10 bo tlshnd out, Hatcher as are hardly ahlc to keep up the nequal struggle 10 stock streams i nd ponds as rapidly as they are leaned out" he said. Many beau iful streams in the Rockies until a CIV years ago wonderful trout s treams, are now hardly worth fish < ag" The automobile and automatic epeating arms have played a big art he said. in imperiling the < ountrys wild life.