1V INTRODUCTION 
offered on the altar of fashion to gratify a cruel and 
barbarous survival of savage adornment. Yet the male 
friend of the lady who wears upon her head a gorgeous 
array of mutilated, misshapen, and dyed birdskins may 
have done something to assist in a similar destruction 
of bird life. As a boy perhaps he wantonly deprived 
some bird of her eggs; and later, when possessed of a 
eun, he may have shown little discretion or thought 
when depriving the nestling of a mother or father who 
alone could feed and protect it. And as a man, too 
‘often it may be, he has allowed savage instincts to domi- 
nate his acts instead of the knowledge derived from 
experience and thought. 
It lies within the power of many who will read these 
pages to assist in the distribution of evidence and in 
the enlightenment of others, to the end that the useless 
slaughter of birds and the destruction of their eggs 
may be prevented, or at least greatly mitigated. 
Within a few years past efforts have been made to 
have one day a year in the schools set aside to study and 
consider the ways and interests of our feathered friends. 
The matter is of national importance, and deserves the 
interest that has been taken in it; but without the 
hearty codperation of teachers and their efforts to in- 
terest and instruct their charges, there is little likeli- 
hood of accomplishing the end desired. 
Each farmer or occupier of a tract of land has it 
