Bird Study. 1C3 



In regard to larger birds, which are called birds of prey, such 

 as the owl, hawk and crow, the uninformed farmer considers 

 them his enemies, but nearly all species render great service in 

 destroying many field mice and ground squirrels and other small 

 rodents, harmful to vegetation. 



Some writer has said, " if all the birds should die, not a human 

 being could live on earth, because the insects upon which the 

 birds subsis*: would increase so enormously as to destroy all vege- 

 tation and that birds save for agricultural purposes alone an- 

 nually, $100,000,000 in the United States." 



Can one imagine a summer time without the songsters I No 

 happy morning song to greet the early riser, no sweet melody to 

 cheer the plowman as he enters upon his daily task, no bright- 

 tinted object, fluttering through the leafy boughs of bush or tree! 



Let us cherish these winged creatures as gifts from an all-wise 

 Providence, for without them the world would be more barren 

 than we think. i 



Would it not be a good plan to increase the intelligence of the 

 present and risiug generation respecting the value of birds, by 

 introducing into our schools the study of bird life. Through the 

 wise co-operation of our school boards suitable text-books may 

 be procured which will supply the knowledge needed in regard 

 to the great value of these often-abused creatures, and arouse an 

 interest in their protection. The Audubon Society of the State of 

 New York, which was formed February 23, 1897, together with 

 other societies, have done much to prohibit the useless slaughter 

 of these feathered tribes. But the universal custom of wearing 

 birds and their plumage is of too long a standing to be changed 

 in even a few years; it must come through education, a know- 

 ledge of their great value to the world. The Audubon Society 

 found already laws existing, if enforced, adequately to protect our 

 birds. The Audubon pledge does not prohibit the use of ostrich 

 plumes or the feathers of the domesticated fowls. 



Let us, fellow teachers and fellow citizens, take up this work 

 of bird study and protection. Let the schools teach it, let the 



