ECONOMIC VALUE OF OUR BIRDS 83 



The American people as a whole have too long 

 played fast and loose with their wild life. Even 

 with our good new laws, I warn every college man 

 in America that the situation of the birds of the 

 United States all save the water-fowl is now 

 desperate. It is gravely questionable whether it 

 now is possible to bring back the vanished millions 

 and once more enjoy their valuable cooperation in 

 our endless war of self-defense against the insect 

 world. 



