Vol. XX j DcTCHER, Report of Cominitiee on Bird Protection. I^S 



that the birds are doing and how great an asset to tlie State they 

 are from an economic standpoint. To get this professional knowl- 

 edge it is not necessary for him to collect bird stomachs for 

 investigation, for the necessary investigations have already been 

 admirably made by the Division of Biological Survey of the 

 United States Department of Agriculture. The many excellent 

 reports issued as the result of the work of the corps of experts of 

 this division, should be studied carefully by every person who con- 

 siders himself an ornithologist. 



Again, an ornithologist should seek to attract attention to the 

 economic and ethical side of bird life and to mould public opinion 

 through short, pithy articles in the press. Strictly scientific state- 

 ments clothed in a popular and attractive dress will always be read 

 and do good, and will often be republished by many widely 

 separated papers. If prejudice exists among the people regard- 

 ing certain birds, such as owls, hawks, etc., and if any birds which 

 are really non-game birds are considered as game birds, a well 

 devised and instructive series of articles regarding these species 

 should be contributed to the press. Prejudice is always the result 

 of lack of knowledge and the ornithologist should seek to inform 

 the public by every means in his power of the good offices of birds 

 and thus change prejudice to ardent friendship. 



The work of the Audubon Societies follows somewhat the same 

 channels, but instead of being the effort of a single individual, is 

 that of a number of well equipped individuals who work as a unit, 

 and direct the efforts of a large number of helpers known as local 

 secretaries. Every well equipped Audubon Society should have 

 an Executive Committee with an active, energetic chairman who, 

 if possible, should be an ornithologist, or if this be not feasible 

 there should be one on the committee. One of the members 

 should be a lawyer to whom should be referred all legislative and 

 legal matters that need attention. The treasurer, if such can be 

 obtained, should be a person who can successfully, by personal 

 influence, finance the affairs of the society, and the secretary 

 should be a person who is capable and willing to devote much 

 time and labor freely to the work. On the committee should be 

 some person who is ready with the pen, and capable of establishing 

 active relations with the public press. Moreover, the executive 



