340 AN AMERICAN HUNTER 



for the preservation and perpetuation of the wild life, 

 whether big or little. 



I The Audubon Society and kindred organizations 

 Tiave done much for the proper protection of birds and 

 of wild creatures generally; they have taken the lead in 

 putting a stop to wanton or short-sighted destruction, and 

 in giving effective utterance to the desires of those who 

 wish to cultivate a spirit as far removed as possible from 

 that which brings about such destruction. Sometimes, 

 however, in endeavoring to impress upon a not easily 

 aroused public the need for action, they in their zeal over- 

 state this need. This is a very venial error compared to 

 the good they have done; but in the interest of scientific 

 accuracy it is to be desired that their cause should not 

 be buttressed in such manner. Many of our birds have 

 diminished lamentably in numbers, and there is every 

 reason for taking steps to preserve them. There are wa- 

 ter birds, shore birds, game birds, and an occasional con- 

 spicuous bird of some other kind, which can only be 

 preserved by such agitation. It is also most desirable 

 to prevent the slaughter of small birds in the neighbor- 

 hood of towns. But I question very much whether there 

 has been any diminution of small-bird life throughout 

 the country at large. Certainly no such diminution has 

 taken place during the past thirty years in any region of 

 considerable size with which I am personally acquainted. 

 Take Long Island, for instance. During this period 

 there has been a lamentable decrease in the waders the 

 shore-birds which used to flock along its southern shore. 

 But in northern Long Island, in the neighborhood of my 



