1910] FOREST, GAME AND FISH WARDEN. 57 



trust that our plans for the rearrangement of the entire layout at Elkins will 

 te agreeable to you so that we can go ahead with the work as we had planned, 

 and as we get the new building under way we can then start in to rearrange 

 our sewer arrangement. I would be glad if you will write me in regard to 

 this, as I want to meet your wishes in every way possible. 



Yours v.ery truly, 



S. KlSTLER. 



GREAT INCEEASE OF INSECTIVEEOUS BIEDS. 



From almost every county in the state comes the cheering news that a great 

 increase can be noticed in numerous kinds of insectivorous birds, and this 

 information naturally raises the question as to the cause of this increase. 



Many reasons might be assigned which have some bearing on this subject, 

 but the principal reason for the improved conditions, is a better understand- 

 ing, by the human race in general, of the economical value of these creatures to 

 the various agricultural interests of this country. 



Too much credit cannot be given to the National Audubon Society or to the 

 various state organizations, for the campaign of education that they have 

 relentlessly waged for bird protection, and every citizen in our state that feels 

 an interest in the protection and preservation of our feathered songsters 

 should become a member of the West Virginia Audubon Society, with head- 

 quarters in the city of Parkersburg. 



It may be that the extinction of some species of our birds is attributable to 

 long, cold winters, deep snows, rainy seasons and beasts and birds of prey 

 in fact it is natural for man to blame the decrease in the numbers of both our 

 birds and animals to every conceivable reason except himself. 



After a careful study of this question, giving due regard to every effectual 

 agency that tends to extinguish the wild life of our fields and forests, it is 

 our ultimate conclusion that humanity is the main factor in the diminution 

 of our birds and animals, or to sum it all up and name the different forces 

 that work against bird life, in order of their importance, we must admit that 

 man tops the ladder by many rounds. 



In this "land of the free and home of the brave," numbering many mil- 

 lions of human souls, with almost every man and boy demanding his consti- 

 tutional right to kill when, where and how he pleases every wild creature that 

 wears hairs or feathers, no wonder that it is necessary to pass stringent laws 

 for the protection of these defenseless ceratures, and to form Audubon societies 

 for the purpose of educating the boys and girls to a better understanding of 

 protecting birds. 



This education should be carried into every school in West Virginia, as it 

 means more to the future prosperity of our agricultural and horicultural pur- 

 suits than any other subject. 



Statistics show 'that the annual loss to the country through insect pests 

 amounts to 'about $800,000,000, and to bring home the significance of this 

 colossal sum, it is said that there are about 600 colleges in the United 

 States, whose buildings and endowments have been centuries in accumulating, 

 and the value of these college and university buildings is only $260,000,000 



