The Audubon Societies 



139 



^^ Destructive Ai^encies Besides those Enu- 

 merated. We desire to call attention to the 

 fact that other agencies, besides the destruc- 

 tion by human hands, also wield a large 

 influence in the decrease of birds. Defor- 

 estation reduces their number largely. 

 Species which inhabit thickets, with the 

 clearing of the land are deprived of shelter 

 for the rearing of their young and disappear 

 as if by magic. With the draining of 

 marshes and lowlands, other species of 

 birds, that live in such places only, vanish 

 forever. Cats destroy a great many birds 

 which build their nests on or near the 

 ground; so do foxes, weasels and other 

 rodents. It will be seen that agencies over 

 which we have no control in conjunction 

 with those alreaiK' enumerated arc constantly 

 and irresistibly at work, trying to break 

 down the barriers which nature has thrown 

 arounil bird-life for their protection and 

 reproduction. Knowing this, it is so much 

 more important that more stringent measures 

 should be adopted forthwith to check those 

 over which we do have control. 



^^Conclusions. Bird life in general is 

 being exterminated at an appalling rate. 



"Edible birds especially are persistently 

 persecuted. 



"Song and insectivorous birds are killed 

 for food on account of scarcity of game 

 birds. 



"The extermination of all desirable birds 

 is certain within a short period. 



"The very existence of the deer — the 

 monarch of the woods onh' a few years ago, 

 roaming in countless numbers through our 

 forest — is dfximed. 



" Biril and game laws as they now exist 

 and as now enforced, are entirely inade- 

 quate to prevent the annihilation of our 

 birds and game. 



".7 Fei-v Sui(t^es/ions. Prohibit the kill- 

 ing, capture, possession nr sale — dead or 

 alive — of wild birds, except game birils and 

 a few noxious species. 



"Prohibit the destruction of birds' nests 

 or collection of eg<rs. 



"Prohibit tiie sale of all dead game at all 

 seasons of the year, for a certain period. 



"There is no ageni-v so well calculated 

 to protect wild bird lite as to prohibit its 

 sale. The market hunter is robbed of his 

 vocation, and flu- incentive to slaughter at 

 all times of the \ear for connnercial pur- 

 poses is abolisiied. I-lxperience has taught 

 tliat this object is i»road-gauged and purciv 

 in the interests of the masses and in din-ct 

 line with the utierring laws of nature 

 reproiliiction. 



" KesiricI the number of game biiiU or 

 game that ma\ i>e taken i>r killetl in one d.n 

 or in a given time bv a single individual. 



" Prohibit the shipment of game outside 

 the state. 



"Prohibit the hunting of deer with dogs. 



" Repeal what is known as the county act. 



"No person should be denied the privi- 

 lege of returning with the trophies of his 

 chase, to enjoy same with his family at 

 home. 



" Prohibit the using of a gun for hunting 

 without a license. 



" It is gratifying to notice the strong 

 sentiment swee|)ing across the state, de- 

 manding more stringent laws and their 

 enforcement. 



"The farmers are aware of the fact that 

 the birds are ' the winged wardens of his 

 farm ' and his truest friends. 



"The horticulturist recognizes the valu- 

 able services birds perform, and the tribute 

 they levy on fruits at a certain time of the 

 year is repaid a thousand fold by destruc- 

 tion of noxious insects. 



"The true sportsmen are disheartened 

 with the discouraging conditions confront- 

 ing them when a-field. 



"The fishermen know that a day's outing 

 is fraught with uncertainties, as all our 

 waters have been dynamited and seined of 

 their rinnv inhabitants. 



"Therefore, let us atone for the mistakes 

 of the past, practice motleration in our 

 pleasures, and encourage anil protect God's 

 noblest gift to mankind.'' 



Fifth Annual Report of tfie Wisconsin 

 Audubon Society 



The Wisconsin Audubon Society was 

 organized at Milwaukee in April, 1897. 

 .•\fter four years of successful work its 

 lu'aci(juarters were transferred to Madison. 

 This, the Fifth Annual Report, is the 

 first issued from its new home. 



i'hroughout its career the Society has hail 

 in view certain dehnite aim<, the most im- 

 portant of which are : 



1. The attempt to discourage the wear- 

 ing of feathers of all liiriis, excefUing those 

 under domestication. 



2. The preservation of our >vild birds and 

 their eggs. 



3. The promotion of popular interest in 

 bird-studv . 



In seeking to carrv these into elfect, the 

 work has progressed al.tng certain lines, as 

 lollows: 



I. I'nder the direction of Mrs. T,Ii/ai)elh 

 Ci. Peckham. of Milwaukee, the conlinii- 

 ance and further enrollment of the school 

 brandies already organized. These in- 



