EMINENT PEOPLE ON BIRD PROTECTION, 



Oak Knoll, Danvers, Mass., [ 

 2nd mo., 20, 18S6. J 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



I heartily approve of the proposed AuDUBON So- 

 ciety. We are in a way to destroy both our forests 

 and our birds. A society for the preservation of the 

 latter has long been needed, and I hope it is not too 

 late for the accomplishment of its objects. 



I could almost wish that the shooters of the birds, 

 the taxidermists who prepare their skins, and the fash- 

 ionable wearers of their feathers might share the 

 penalty which was visited upon the Ancient Mariner 

 who shot the Albatross. Thy friend, 



John G. Whittier. 



Brooklyn, N. Y., Feb. 20, 18S6. 

 Editor Forest and Stream: 



I am heartily in sympathy with your purposes for 

 the protection of birds, and should be glad to con- 

 tribute any influence that I can to that end. 



If there were no purchasers there would be no de- 

 mand, and no reason for slaughtering these winged 

 gems. But as only women create a demand, it rests 

 upon them to stay this wanton destruction. I am 

 sure that it is only necessary to bring before Ameri- 

 can women the cruelty of this " slaughter of the in- 

 nocents " that fashion is carrying on, to secure a re- 

 nunciation of this ornament and the salvation of 

 birds. 



On this subject the kind feelings, the taste, and 

 aesthetic sympathy of the whole community are on 

 your side, and if you persevere you will surely win. 

 Henry Ward Beecher, 



Cornwall-on-Hudson, N. Y., \ 

 Feb. 22, 1886. \ 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



You have indeed my hearty sympathy in every 

 effort to prevent the slaughter of my innocent little 

 neighbors and friends, the birds. In the destruction 

 of forests and birds, the people of this land are invit- 

 ing very great evils and inflicting wrongs on posterity 

 which scarcely can be measured. The press should 

 render it impossibe for women to sin thoughtlessly 

 and ignorantly in demanding little birds for their 

 adornment. The evil should be brought home so 

 fully to the knowledge of all, that the continued 

 wearing of our useful little birds should become the 

 badge and indication of a callous, vulgar nature. 

 You are doing a humane and patriotic work in excit- 

 ing public aversion to one of the most cruel and 

 stupid wrongs of the age. 



Respectfully yours, 



Edward P. Roe. 



West Park, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1886. 

 Editor Forest and Stream: 



I scarcely need assure you that your undertaking 

 to form a society for the protection of our wild birds 

 against the ravages of the milliners and the sham 

 scientific collectors has my warmest sympathy and 

 approval. It is a barbarous taste which prompts 

 our women and girls to appear upon the street with 

 their head gear adorned with the scalps of our song- 

 sters; and it is mere vanity and affectation which 

 prompts so many persons to make up cabinets of the 

 nests and eggs of the same. The destruction of our 

 birds from their natural enemies is immense, and this 

 craze of the collectors, and folly of the milliners and 

 their customers in addition, threatens their serious 

 diminution. 



I hope you may succeed in creating so strong a 

 public sentiment upon the subject that the collectors 

 of skins and eggs for the unworthy purposes of fash- 

 ion or to indulge the vanity of pseudo-naturalists 

 may suddenly find their occupation gone. 



Please add my name to the list of the members of 

 the Audubon Society^ Yery sincerely, 



John Burroughs. 



160 W. 5gTH Street, \ 

 New York, Feb. 20, 1886. j 

 Editor Forest and Stream : 



No one who will take the trouble to give the mat- 

 ter a few moments' serious consideration can be in 

 doubt, I think, as to the wisdom of organizing the 

 Audubon Society, and I am thankful that such a 

 step is contemplated. There is an element of savag- 

 ery in the use of birds for personal decoration, which 

 is in grotesque contrast with our boasts of civiliza- 

 tion. But even the savage stops short, as a rule, 

 with the feathers. It is only Christian people who 

 think it worth while to butcher a whole bird to adorn 

 their head gear. I am sure, however, that this is 

 largely from that unreflecting habit which is a lead- 

 ing vice in people who follow the fashions. But it is 

 a vice; as Hood sang, when he wrote — 



For evil is wrought 



By want of thought 



As well as by want of heart. 

 If the Audubon Society can teach men, and es- 

 pecially women, to think on this subject, half of the 

 battle will have been won. Henry C. Potter. 



Andover, Mass., Feb. 21, 1886. 

 Editor Forest and Stream: 



I am in earnest and indignant sympathy with the 

 motive of any society organized to prevent the mur- 

 der of birds for decorative purposes. 



E. S. Phelps. 



