CHAPTER V 



THE DUTY AND POWER OF THE CITIZEN IN 

 WILD LIFE PROTECTION 



We now have reached a subject which is the con- 

 clusion of the whole matter of wild-life destruction 

 and conservation, the duty of the citizen. Upon 

 the response, or the lack of response, to the call that 

 now is being made to the intelligent conscience of 

 America and Europe hangs the fate of the best and 

 most valuable wild life of the world. If that wild 

 life is not saved through the initiative and the sacri- 

 fices of private individuals, it will not be saved. 



Let us make a cold-blooded analysis of the 

 situation. 



We know that throughout all portions of the 

 globe that are really occupied by civilized man, or 

 his agents, the slaughter of wild life is proceeding in 

 wholesale ways and at a fearful pace. 



We know that already a very great many species 

 of highly valuable birds and mammals have been 

 locally exterminated over immense areas. 



We know that during our own times, a number 

 of species have been totally exterminated, actually 

 under our eyes. The total list is so long that I have 

 not even attempted to give it. 



