Io6 DuTCHER, Report of Committee on Bird Protection. ff^ 



Philippine Islands. — -A Committee was appointed at the last 

 annual meeting to take measures to prevent the use of the birds 

 of the Philippine Islands for commercial purposes. 



A memorial was prepared and sent to the Honorable Secretary 

 of War, as follows : 



Sir : — 



At the Twentieth Congress of the American Ornithologists' Union, 

 held in Washington, D. C, November 17-20, 1902, the following preamble 

 and resolutions were unanimously adopted : 



Whereaa^ During the past twenty years there has been an alarming 

 decrease in the wild birds of the world, and 



Whereas., The said decrease has been largely occasioned by the use of 

 birds' plumage for millinery ornaments, and 



W/iereas, Scientific study of bird life by experts reveals the fact that 

 wild birds are of great economic value, and 



Whereas, A systematic effort is now being made for the preservation of 

 Avild bird life in this country as well as in foreign countries, therefore 



Be it resolved. That a Committee of five Fellows of the American 

 Ornithologists' Union be appointed by the President, to take such action 

 as will best conserve all bird life. 



In accordance with these resolutions the Committee respectfully invites 

 your attention to the importance of taking steps to prevent the export 

 from the Philippine Islands of game and birds, more especially of those 

 species whose plumage is used for inillinery purposes. Laws prohibiting 

 ■export are considered indispensable in bird protection, and are now in 

 force in all but four or five States and Territories of the United States. 

 Such a law was also enacted by Congress in June, 1902, for the protection 

 of birds in Alaska. 



At present there is an enormous demand for the plumage of birds used 

 by the millinery trade, and much of this plumage is obtained from birds 

 of the East Indies, Australia, and New Guinea. Birds are now protected 

 in most of the colonies of Australia, in India, and Burma ; steps have 

 been taken to protect certain species in British New Guinea; and within 

 the past year the export of birds and plumage from India has been 

 absolutely prohibited. Apparently in most countries of the Orient under 

 British rule efforts are being made to curtail the wholesale destruction of 

 birds for millinery purposes, and the enforcement of existing laws will 

 inevitably drive the plume hunter to new fields, including the Philippine 

 Islands. While it is not probable that many birds are now shipped from 

 the Philippines, it seems desirable to prohibit such export before the 

 plume trade has gained a foothold in the islands. 



The Committee therefore respectfully requests your cooperation in this 

 matter, and also requests that the subject be brought to the attention of 



