1908] Report of Ornithological Branch 47 



an active interest in birds and their studv to send in their names 

 and addresses to Mr. A. G. Kingston, 241 Nicholas St., so that 

 our section would become larger and more efficient, and so that 

 our meetings could be held with greater regularity, which is now 

 precluded by the preoccupation of other duties on the part of its 

 members. 



Then, we would urge all members of the Field Naturalists' 

 Club to look upon themselves as protectors of birds at all times 

 and wherever they are. Let them hinder wanton destruction of 

 bird life whenever a chance offers, and instill into others, especial- 

 ly children, a sympathetic interest in birds, which, in the end, is 

 the best safeguard of birds. 



At the same time other enemies of birds must be kept in 

 check. According to systematic investigations of the Mas- 

 sachussetts Board of Agriculture, the domestic cat is one of the 

 worst foes of birds. The cat should, therefore, be kept in the 

 house, especially in the outlying portions of the citv and on the 

 farm, particularly at the nesting time, and if a cat is found to have 

 acquired the habit of killing birds, the best remedy is to forever 

 put the cat out of harm's way. In Germany some cities, having 

 many parks, have during several years past employed regular 

 cat-catchers, who manage to take in from 10 to 'lS,OOo''cats 

 in one city. These are then so dealt with that they can no 

 longer kill birds. A good precedent to follow. 



Much can also be done in the wav of protecting and increas- 

 ing the numbers of birds by people ha\'ing gardens, or farms, or 

 at least a number of trees around their houses, bv putting' up 

 nesting boxes. These should be made so as to be acceptable to 

 wrens, bluebirds, swallows, etc. Thev should be made accessible 

 to people, so that the nests of tlie house sparrow can from time to 

 time be destroved. 



Let us do all we can to protect the birds, these useful and 

 beautiful helpers of man in the economv of nature, and to in- 

 crease their numbers. 



The Ornithological Section, 



G. EIFRIG. 



A. G. KINGSTON. 



