122 OUR NATIVE BIRDS 



Early on the summer morning 

 They will call you, sing to you ; 

 Sadly they will part in autumn, 

 Gladly come again in spring. 

 Herewith stands the court adjourned. 



EXTRACT FROM MR. HORNADAY'S REPORT 



" Conclusions Regarding Birds. Regarding the avian 

 fauna of the United States, the following conclusions 

 are justified by facts : 



"1. Throughout about three-fifths of the whole area 

 of our country, exclusive of Alaska, bird life in general 

 is being annihilated. 



"2. The edible birds, about 144 species, have been, 

 and still are, most severely persecuted. 



" 3. In many localities edible birds of nearly all spe- 

 cies have become rare, and some important species are 

 on the point of general extermination. 



"4. Owing to the disappearance of the true game 

 birds, our song and insectivorous birds are now being 

 killed for food purposes, and, unless prevented, this 

 abuse of nature is likely to become general. 



" 5. The extermination, throughout this country, of 

 the so-called 4 plume birds' is now practically complete. 



" 6. The persecution of our birds during their nesting 

 season, by egg collectors and by boys generally, has 

 become so universal as to demand immediate and special 

 attention. 



