VALUE OF BIRDS TO MAN. 85 



value of game birds to the farmer, ei)icure, marketman, and 

 sportsman should insure them the most stringent protection. 

 Nevertheless, some of the migratory species, through lack 

 of effectual protection, have already been so reduced in num- 

 bers that they are no longer of any commercial importance. 

 The domestication of birds })robably was coincident with 

 that of animals, and grew from the desire of the primitive 

 agriculturist to have always at hand a fresh supply of deli- 

 cate and nutritious animal food. No other animals can ever 

 be so adapted to the environments of civilization as to fur- 

 nish us with a similarly valuable supply of both meat and 



The poultry business of this country has grown to such 

 importance that the total value of the annual poultry prod- 

 uct has reached nearly three hundred million dollars. Mas- 

 sachusetts imported probably about eighteen million dollars' 

 worth of poultry products in 1903. When we consider that 

 in all the centuries the work of domestication has included 

 but a few species, it is evident that the possibilities in this 

 direction have not been exhausted. 



Within the last half-century fashion has been responsible 

 for the killing of millions of birds for the millinery trade. 

 This trade is now limited by laws making it illegal to kill or 

 use most native birds, except game birds, for this purpose. 

 Instances of the destruction of birds for millinery purposes 

 will be given in another chapter. The American demand 

 for feathers for ornamental uses is now largely met by 

 articles manufactured from the feathers of domestic fowls 

 and game birds. The demand for Ostrich plumes has re- 

 sulted in the establishment of a new industry in America, — 

 the raising' of Ostriches. 



There has been a growing demand for American song birds 

 for cage purposes ; but this traffic is now prohibited by law. 



THE iESTHETIC, SENTIMENTAL, AND EDUCATIONAL 

 VALUE OF BIRDS. 



Thus far I have written solely from the standpoint of 

 "enlightened selfishness," entertaining no consideration of 

 the lesthetic, humane, sentimental, or educational. I have 



