XXIII 



as to belifcV(' tliat Part II of this report is au able pro- 

 duction from a literary standpoint, but because he is 

 well aware that unless a strong public sentiment is 

 not soon cieated to correct unjust prejudices which 

 exist against many of our most serviceable birds and 

 other wild animals, these creatures will soon be ex- 

 terminated if reckless scalp acts, which so many favor, 

 are enacted and hat-bird hunters pursue their nefari- 

 ous trade. Should such a condition confront the peo- 

 ple of this Commonwealth it will be found, when too 

 late to remedy, that the annual loss from innumerable 

 insect foes would be very considerably in excess of 

 die enorn-ous less ^\e at present suffer yearly in Penn- 

 sylvania. 



Entirely independent of the data which the writer 

 has accumulated during many years of active field 

 work and incorporated in this volumn, Part n con- 

 tains much matter of especial value from the pens of 

 some of the highest zoological authorities in the coun- 

 try. All this, together with the notes and field obser- 

 vations of hundreds of intelligent farmers, horticul- 

 tu lists, poulterers, sportsmen and naturalists through- 

 out the State, will tend to make this document a stand- 

 ard work in the somewhat limited yet exceedingly im- 

 portant field it so fully covers. In conclusion the 

 writer would extend his most cordial thanks to his Ex- 

 cellency, Governor D. H. Hastings, for his wise ap- 

 proval of the concurrent resolution which provides for 

 this publication. Ex-Governor Beaver approved two 

 bills authorizing the publication of the Birds of Penn 

 sylvania. These approvals give conclusive proof that 

 Centre county has furnished executives who, by their 

 signatures, have done more to create popular sentiment 

 in behalf of zoological matters than any of their pred- 

 ecesors. 



