THE CONSERVATION OF BIRDS. 273 



of our native wild fowl. Birds were abundant in those days ; 

 powder and shot were too dear to be expended on what could 

 not be put to a good use, so we may be assured that the early 

 settlers did not abuse their privileges. 



Necessity made man a destroyer of life. Bodily demands 

 first sent him abroad to match human courage against brute 

 ferocity, human patience against brute endurance, human cun- 

 ning against brute sagacity. He found the excitement of the 

 chase no less agreeable than its products. Hope and fear and 

 victorious exultation combined to fill the hunter's breast with 

 enthusiasm for his pursuit. The peculiar savors of Avild meat 

 were sweet to his palate. What w^onder, then, that the red 

 man declined to till the ground or that the fathers failed to lay 

 aside the gun when it was no longer needed to supply the 

 family larder. 



These two motives — appetite and love of sport — are the 

 roots of the whole matter, and they must be the basis of our 

 investigation. Let us see what each has contributed to bring 

 about the present depletion of game-birds ; let us compare 

 their merits, ethical and practical. 



As the land became cleared of forests the range of wild 

 creatures was correspondingly restricted, and it was no longer 

 possible for every man to supply his table with their flesh. 

 There was no alternative but to use that of domestic animals 

 in their place. Thus scarcity long since relegated all sorts of 

 game from common fare, but it has ever been held in high 

 esteem as a luxury with those able to procure it. The division 

 of labor that gradually developed produced in turn the itiner- 

 ant butcher and the market-man. The art of killing and the 

 art of selling were divorced. The market-man gives employ- 

 ment not only to butcher but to a host of others who contribute 

 to the supply of necessities and luxuries that he handles. By 

 combining energy, wealth, and science he has laid under con- 

 tribution every land, eliminated distance, and defied alike 

 climate and season. It is largely to his enterprise that we 



18 



