The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1947-11-04
John Baker, Head OF
National Audubon. To
Be Here On Thursday
WILL TALK AT HARRIS
SCHOOL; APPEAL is
MADE FOR CONSERVA.
TION EDUCATION

AT th+ ~.ss.e t1inI the Monroe
County Audubon Society appeal
ed to school principals and
teachers to increase their conser-
walton education, it was an
nounced that John Baker, presi-
dent of the National Audubon
Society, will be here Thursday.
He will lecture at 8 O'clock
Thursday evening to the local
Audubon Society at Harris
School and a group of children
and adult non-members. His talk
will be illustrated with a mo-
ton picture on bird life. There
will be no charge.
The local society likewise ap-
pealed to parents to make a
double check on their children
and, if necessary. to curb the re-
cent increase in the shooting of
songbirds.
In a statement to school Of
ficials. Oliver Griswold. presi-
dent of the local Audubon So
ciety, organized for bird protec-
ton and wildlife conservation, on
behalf of the society. said:
From recent conversations
with principals and teachers. 1
am aware of the effort to curb
children from shooting. trapping
and molesting birds. May / ex-
press the pleasure and gratitude
of the Monroe County Audubon
Society for this good work?
"This year. the Island of Key
West is blessed with many more
birds than usual. Apparently
the flooded conditions on the
mainland have reduced the food
supply there, and the birds have
come down for survival in Key
West and on the other Keys
With hardly any exceptions, the
birds that have cemss sitsSpFs ts-us
= this season are the kinds protect
ed by State and Federal laws. In
other words, the are not game
birds that hunters are permitted
to shoot in proper season. 1t is IL
legal to shoot songbirds or other
non game varieties. Offenders
who break the laws protecting
them may be punished.
Eve have good chance TO
keep the birds in Key West for
the enjoyment of people who
like to watch them and hear
their songs. Notably. we have
many more mockingbirds IN n
usual. There are also many Of
the small warblers.
"They will make our city
pleasanter, not only for those
who live here the year round.
but for tourists who find them
a delightful attraction. Shooting
at them or throwing rocks at
them, even if they are not hit.
will drive them away. Birds are
wise creatures and soon learn
to leave places where they are
bothered. One small boy with q
slingshot can spoil the pleasure
of many, many other people who
enjoy seeing the birds"
GrisWold said that the number
of phone calls and personal Wis
its from both members of the
Audubon Society and non-mem-
bers urging the society to help
curb the recent increase in juve-
nile slingshot and air rifle shoot
visiting indicated there are many
more people interested in pro-
tecting the birds than there are
bird-killers in Key West
1.-THE Audubon Society re-
quests parents to make a double
check on their children's activ-
tiles to see if they are modest
ing or killing BIRDS" he said.
MANY parents who would be
shocked if they were aware of
their youngsters poor sports
manship can help by checking
up and explaining the situation.
It's a perfectly natural instinct
for youngsters at a certain age
to want to hunt and kill. But
killing songbirdS is not sporting, >.
COntipI,cd On page EIGHTY =