124 WILD LIFE CONSERVATION 



In approaching this subject we offer four 

 propositions : 



First, A wild bird or mammal species may inflict 

 upon human interests a certain amount of damage, 

 yet not be so destructive as properly to be listed as 

 a pest. 



Second, Under exceptional local conditions, a 

 species usually quite harmless may suddenly become 

 so destructive as to compel its classification locally 

 as a pest, and to demand its local abatement by 

 systematic measures. 



Third, Certain species are everywhere so destruc- 

 tive to valuable property that wherever found they 

 should be destroyed. 



Fourth, Sometimes destructive individuals are 

 so rare that it is unwise to provide bounties for 

 their destruction, because such bounties often lead 

 unscrupulous or ignorant hunters to destroy valu- 

 able birds and mammals, through mistakes in iden- 

 tification, or alleged mistakes. 



We can not inveigh too strongly against the 

 ignorant and intolerant spirit that leads a farmer 

 or orchardist to seek revenge upon the bird world 

 for every petty damage that may be inflicted upon 

 his fruit orchard or field crop. 



On the other hand, we can not and will not 

 ignore the unbearable damages that sometimes are 

 inflicted by wild birds and mammals on the crops or 

 herds of farmers who can ill afford to submit to a 

 serious waste of the means whereby they live. 



