APPEAL FOR THE BIRDS 221 



unless in spots where they are unusually abundant. The same 

 caution should be used against breaking branches from shrubs 

 and trees in so rude a fashion as not only to cause a temporary 

 disfigurement, but perhaps a permanent injury. The hobble-bush, 

 whose effective leaves and brilliant berries decorate gaily the 

 woods of late summer, is frequently a victim to careless picking. 



The flowers growing in the immediate neighborhood of the 

 roadside are a joy to the many. Is it too much to ask that these 

 be left to delight the eyes of the passer-by, and that the flowers 

 desired for decorative purposes be sought a few feet from the 

 highway or even from the trail ? These roadside plants are con- 

 stantly enjoyed by those who by reason of age or some infirmity 

 could otherwise never see them. Were this once realized, few 

 would hesitate to take the trouble entailed by half a dozen extra 

 steps. 



Many of the most effective flowers may be gathered, away from 

 the wayside, without fear of doing any permanent injury. Daisies, 

 buttercups, clover, wild roses, meadow-sweet, steeplebush, asters, 

 goldenrod, and other vigorous and abundantly growing plants 

 will yield ample material for decoration, and may be gathered 

 almost with impunity. 



To sum up we urge: (i) Moderation. (Not gathering too 

 many flowers of the same kind in one locality. ) (2) Care. (The 

 use of scissors or knife.) (3) Judgment. (Guarding the road- 

 side and conspicuous locations.) (4) Occasional total abstinence. 

 (In case of especially rare flowers.) 



AN APPEAL FOR THE BIRDS 



Bills to prohibit the use of the new automatic shot-gun in hunt- 

 ing birds will be introduced in all Legislatures which convene 

 next winter. The New York Zoological Society and the League 

 of American Sportsmen have decided to send delegations to the 

 capitols of these various States, to urge the passage of these bills. 

 It will require a large outlay of money for travelling expenses, 

 printing, postage, clerk hire, etc., to conduct this campaign prop- 

 erly, and all persons interested in the preservation of song, insec- 

 tiverous, and game birds, are requested to contribute to a special 

 fund which is being created for this purpose. 



A new line of automatic shot-guns, consisting of five different 



