A Note on the Economic Value of Gulls 



BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN 



With photographs from nature by the author 



F the inhabitants of our Gulf States had believed that 

 Egrets were as valuable to them alive, as they know 

 Turkey Buzzardsa nd Black Vultures to be, they would, 

 doubtless, never have permitted their destruction. 



Similarly, we think that if the services rendered by 

 Gulls were fully appreciated, the birds would be pro- 

 tected by a sentiment as strong as that which pre- 

 serves the Buzzards. 



It is possible that the day may come when a bird's beauty will be a 

 sufficient reason for its existence ; but in the meantime we must base our 

 appeals for bird protection on more material grounds if we would hope 

 to have them effectual. 



In pleading the cause of the Gulls, therefore, we will not mention 

 the accompanying picture of the birds with their young, beautiful as it is. 



KITTIWAKES AND VUUNG ON NESTS 

 Bird Rock, Gulf St. Lawrence, July a6, 1898 



for we realize that with the millinery collector it would only create a de- 

 sire to visit a locality were Gulls are evidently so tame that they could 

 be killed with ease ; but we would call particular attention to the ap- 

 parently uninteresting photograph which follows it. 



This photograph was made in the lower bay of New York harbor on 



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