INTRODUCTION. 



It is an undisputed fact that a great many of our birds are becoming' more 

 scarce each year, while a few are, even now, on the verge of extinction. The de- 

 crease in numbers of a few species may be attributed chieflj' to the elements, such 

 as a long- continued period of cold weather or ice storms in the winter, and rainy 

 weather during the nesting season ; however, in one way or another, and often 

 unwittingly, man is chiefly responsible for the diminution in numbers. If I were 

 to name the forces that work against the increase of bird life, in order of their 

 importance, I should give them as : — Man ; the elements ; accidents ; cats ; other 

 animals; birds of prey; and snakes. I do not take into consideration the death of 

 birds from natural causes, such as old age and disease, for these should be coun- 

 terbalanced by the natural increase. 



There are parts that each one of us can play in lessening the unnatural dan- 

 gers that lurk along a bird's path in life. Individually, our efforts may amount 

 to but little, perhaps the saving of the lives of two or three, or more, birds during 

 the year, but collectively, our efforts will soon be felt in the bird-world. 



How Can We Protect the Birds? — Nearly all states have fairly good game 

 laws, which, if they could be enforced, would properly protect our birds from man, 

 but they cannot be ; if our boys and girls are educated to realize the economic 



