12 THE BIRDS OF NEW JERSEY. 



many rooms was at a premium. * It is safe to 



say that we shall celebrate the day next year. I hope it 

 may come to be a national day. 



The Department has also received inquiries concerning 

 Bird day from Connecticut, and the matter is attracting 

 attention in Nebraska. Professor Lawrence Bruner in 

 his u Notes on the Birds of Nebraska," published in May, 



1896, says: 



It might be well to suggest that the subject (of Orni 

 thology) is of sufficient importance to call for its being 

 taught in our public schools, to a limited extent at least. 

 We should have a " Bird Day " just as we have an "Arbor 

 Day" and a " Flag Day," when suitable exercises, should 

 be held commemorative of the occasion. 



OBJECT OF BIRD DAY. 



From all sides come reports of a decrease in native 

 birds due to the clearing of the forests, draining of the 

 swamps and cultivation of land, but especially to the in- 

 creasing slaughter of the birds for game, the demand for 

 feathers to supply the millinery trade, and the breaking 

 up of nests to gratify the egg collecting proclivities of 

 small boys. An attempt has been made to restrict these 

 latter causes by legislation. Nearly every State and Ter- 

 ritory has passed game laws, and several States have 

 statutes protecting insectivorous birds. Such laws are 

 frequently changed and cannot be expected to accomplish 

 much unless supported by popular sentiment in favor of 

 bird protection. This object can only be attained by 

 demonstrating to the people the value of birds, and how 

 can it be accomplished better than through the medium 

 of the schools ? 



Briefly stated, the object of Bird Day is to diffuse 

 knowledge concerning our native birds and to arouse a 

 more general interest in bird protection. As such it 

 should appeal not only to ornithologists, sportsmen and 

 farmers, who have a practical interest in the preservation 



