FOEEST CONSERVATORIES. 431 



the subject, before he can be assured that they are exposed 

 to any such danger. 



The life of every creature, except a few offensive and 

 dangerous species, should be held sacred in this wood which 

 is to be their sanctuary. It should be made a penal of- 

 fence to kill a bird, or a squirrel, or any other harmless 

 creature that should make its abode here. Many may be- 

 lieve that the wild animals need no such protection as 

 these places would afford them, knowing that birds are as 

 common in the densely peopled countries of Europe as in 

 our own sparsely settled land. But we must remember 

 that the whole land system of America differs from that 

 of Europe, where many a nobleman owns a forest that is 

 measured, not by acres, but by square miles, and of which 

 his farm is only an appendage. In these princely forests 

 the wild animals are protected by game-laws, which are 

 the more easily enforced because they do not extend over 

 the whole country. The game-laws enacted by our legis- 

 latures have proved inadequate to protect even the small 

 birds of our orchards and gardens, and must ever be 

 powerless for their preservation, on account of the diffi- 

 culty of executing laws, over a wide extent of territory, 

 which are opposed by the prejudices of the people. They 

 might be enforced in grounds set apart for this purpose, 

 but not effectually outside of them. Others having 

 observed the great numbers of species that multiply in 

 direct proportion as the land is tilled and cultivated and 

 the wild woods removed, believe nothing is necessary for 

 their protection. This subject I have explained in my 

 essay on Animals of the Primitive Forest. 



And what a rare opportunity would these grounds afford 

 to those who would observe the ways of animals in their 

 native habitats ! The birds and quadrupeds would soon 

 become tame and docile, from their constant security and 

 familiarity with people who would not molest them. 



