THE CONSERVATION OF BIRDS. 291 



To review this matter : The stock of wild fowl has reached 

 a low ebb through a long-continued and ever-increasing per- 

 secution and an ever-narrowing breeding range. Two differ- 

 ent motive forces have pushed the persecution, — the market 

 and an inborn love of hunting, the one commercial — a mat- 

 of dollars and cents — the other a natural instinct. The one 

 gratifies the few that earn a meagre living by hunting and the 

 few rich enough to buy ; the other may be enjoyed by every 

 man able to leave liis place of business if he so elects. The 

 one breeds dyspepsia, the other vigorous health. The one 

 benefits classes, the other masses. Nothing in Euclid is 

 more clearly demonstrated than that their combined drain is 

 altogether too great to be borne. One of them must be put 

 out of action. Which? We have seen that several States 

 have decided already. Selling and killinq- for sale are pro- 

 hibited. When State laws have failed, federal acts have been 

 evoked ; the numbei of birds that could be bagged legally 

 has been gradually lessened ; open seasons have been repeat- 

 edly shortened ; the folly of spring shooting has been gener- 

 ally admitted ; species facing extinction have been granted 

 immunity for terms of years ; sanctuaries have been estab- 

 lished and artificial propagation demonstrated feasible. 



But the main thing, after all, is popular education along 

 this line. There is a contagion in reform. That infection has 

 begun is evident. All having the preservation of birds at 

 heart must help spread it by precept and example. By care 

 the stock may be replenished and the birds indefinitely pre- 

 served, — a continued source of benefit to us and a worthy 

 legacy to posterity. 



Aside from schools there are certain organizations through 

 which the idea of bird })rotection is promulgated. Of these 

 the American Ornithologists' Union, which is devoted to all 

 pliases of bird work, is the most comprehensive. Its member- 

 ship embraces many able men who have contributed liberally 

 to current llteratun^ upon this subject. The many branches 

 of the Audubon Society, especially arrayed against the use of 



