Birds. 



99 



ornamental or museum purposes, while the bird fancier, on the 

 other hand sees in them so many objects to be "improved," as he 

 terms the over-development of certain parts, by means of crossing, 

 selection of freaks, etc. 



The milliner, with an eye to business, studies their various 

 forms and tints with a view to harmonizing them with the complex- 

 ion and costume of the fashionable customer; while the agricul- 

 turalist complains that certain species destroy his products, an.d 

 rejoices that others are of value by reason of preying on noxious 

 insects and plants. So important in fact, has the relation of birds 

 to agriculture been shown to be, that it has been made the subject 

 of special inquiry by the U. S. Government, through a newly 

 established "Division of Ornithology" ot the Department of Agri- 

 culture, at the head of which is the well-known ornithologist, Dr. 

 C. H. Merriam. 



The methods and objects of this "Division of Ornithology" 

 are explained in a circular which I shall be glad to supply to those 

 interested. 



On a plane far above the merely economic relations of birds, 

 stands their availability to the poet and artist, as subjects for pen 

 and brush ; and the true naturalist, to fully appreciate their many 

 beauties should be something of both and more than either : — for, 

 to him, all matters connected with them possess an interest; their 

 structure, colors, voice, habits, food, architecture, topographical 

 and geographical distribution, migrations, etc.; — and if he combines 

 with the poetic and artistic sense the power of accurate and 

 systematic observation of living birds; and with these again, the 

 appreciation of their wonderful structure and relations to each 

 other and to other animals, — ///^// indeed is he a naturalist '\x\ the 

 broadest sense of the word, and his observations and conclusions 

 systematically recorded are a monument to his talent and industry, 

 which no time can destroy. Such were Wilson and Audubon, the 

 pioneers of American Ornithology, and many might be mentioned 

 amongst living naturalists who are dieir worthy successors. 



While volumes have been and will be, written upon the beauties 

 of birds — their brilliant plumage, the melody of their voices, their 

 unique architecture and so on, this is not by any means all of 

 Ornithology; in fact as a distinguished ornithologist has said, all 

 these "however ])leasing they are to the senses, do not satisfy the 

 mind, which always strives to make orderly disposition of things, 



