Biillciin No. 20. 45 



than "It was not so when I was young." But here we have in one Ijrief 

 review the opinions of one hundred and ninety persons qualified to give 

 accurate information in regard to this decrease. We are therefore with- 

 out further excuse for ignorance of the facts. 



The "destructive agencies now in operation," according to this report, 

 are eighteen in number, half of which stand out prominently as menac- 

 ing factors. They are: Sportsmen, and so-called sportsmen; boys who 

 shoot: market hunters and "pot-hunters;" "shooters generally;" plume 

 hunters, and milliners' hunters; clearing off timber; development of 

 towns and cities; Italians, and others, who devour song birds. Other 

 agencies comprise so small a proportion of the whole that they scarcely 

 need mention here 



While this report shows that the average decrease in the bird and 

 mammal fauna of the whole country is forty-six per cent, for the last 

 fifteen years, it also tells us that 154 species, including the Galliiiae, 

 CoIu}nba(\ IJynicoIae Piihidicolae, Ilerodioues and Anseres, are rapidly 

 becoming extinct. These comprise the so-called game birds and pluinage 

 birds. If the slaughter could be confined to these even, the problem of 

 adequate protection might be fairly easily solved ; but as these begin to 

 disappear the other birds, particularly the song birds, because they are 

 so easily secured, are set upon and destroyed 



The problem, then, becomes one for universal protection for the birds 

 at least. It is a problem not alone to be grappled with by the scientist 

 and the legislator, but by every patriotic citizen of our country, because 

 the destruction of the birds, which, at the present rate will be complete 

 in the next fifteen years, touches every one in every walk of life. The 

 utility of the birds is universally accredited and need not be mentioned 

 here. The question is, what are we going to do about it ? W' hat is the 

 attitude our Chapter should take in view of these facts presented by Mr. 

 Hornaday ? This is a vital question to us, because we are acknowlodged 

 students of the birds. Shall we not have an universal expression of opinion 

 before the next issue of the Bulletin ? Let the question be, What 

 shall we do as a Chapter ? If yotl have no special thots on the subject, 

 or no special reply to make, will you not state as briefly as you please 

 how you stand with reference to the quc^stion ? Let us not delay. 



CHANGES OF ADDRESS. 



Mr. Arthur H. W. Norton changes his address to Waring, Kendal 

 Countv, Texas. 



