The Audubon Societies 



139 



" Destructive Agencies Besides those Enu- 

 merated. We desire to call attention to the 

 fact that other agencies, besides the destruc- 

 tion by human hands, also wield a large 

 influence in the decrease of birds. Defor- 

 estation reduces their number largely. 

 Species which inhabit thickets, with the 

 clearing of the land are deprived of shelter 

 for the rearing of their young and disappear 

 as if by magic. With the draining of 

 marshes and lowlands, other species of 

 birds, that live in such places only, vanish 

 forever. Cats destroy a great many birds 

 which build their nests on or near the 

 ground; so do foxes, weasels and other 

 rodents. It will be seen that agencies over 

 which we have no control in conjunction 

 with those already enumerated are constantly 

 and irresistibly at work, trying to break 

 down the barriers which nature has thrown 

 around bird-life for their protection and 

 reproduction. Knowing this, it is so much 

 more important that more stringent measures 

 should be adopted forthwith to check those 

 over which we do have control. 



"Conclusions. Bird life in general is 

 being exterminated at an appalling rate. 



"Edible birds especially are persistently 

 persecuted. 



"Song and insectivorous birds are killed 

 for food on account of scarcity of game 

 birds. 



"The extermination of all desirable birds 

 is certain within a short period. 



"The very existence of the deer — the 

 monarch of the woods only a few years ago, 

 roaming in countless numbers through our 

 forest — is doomed. 



"Bird and game laws as they now exist 

 and as now enforced, are entirely inade- 

 quate to prevent the annihilation of our 

 birds and game. 



"A Fenv Suggestions . Prohibit the kill- 

 ing, capture, possession or sale — dead or 

 alive — of wild birds, except game birds and 

 a few noxious species. 



"Prohibit the destruction of birds' nests 

 or collection of eggs. 



"Prohibit the sale of all dead game at all 

 seasons of the year, for a certain period. 



"There is no agency so well calculated 

 to protect wild bird life as to prohibit its 

 sale. The market hunter is robbed of his 

 vocation, and the incentive to slaughter at 

 all times of the year for commercial pur- 

 poses is abolished. Experience has taught 

 that this object is broad-gauged and purely 

 in the interests of the masses and in direct 

 line with the unerring laws of nature — 

 reproduction. 



"Restrict the number of game birds or 

 game that may be taken or killed in one day 

 or in a given time by a single individual. 



"Prohibit the shipment of game outside 

 the state. 



"Prohibit the hunting of deer with dogs. 



"Repeal what is known as the county act. 



"No person should be denied the privi- 

 lege of returning with the trophies of his 

 chase, to enjoy same with his family at 

 home. 



"Prohibit the using of a gun for hunting 

 without a license. 



"It is gratifying to notice the strong 

 sentiment sweeping across the state, de- 

 manding more stringent laws and their 

 enforcement. 



"The farmers are aware of the fact that 

 the birds are ' the winged wardens of his 

 farm ' and his truest friends. 



"The horticulturist recognizes the valu- 

 able services birds perform, and the tribute 

 they levy on fruits at a certain time of the 

 year is repaid a thousand fold by destruc- 

 tion of noxious insects. 



"The true sportsmen are disheartened 

 with the discouraging conditions confront- 

 ing them when a-field. 



"The fishermen know that a day's outing 

 is fraught with uncertainties, as all our 

 waters have been dynamited and seined of 

 their finny inhabitants. 



"Therefore, let us atone for the mistakes 

 of the past, practice moderation in our 

 pleasures, and encourage and protect God's 

 noblest gift to mankind." 



Fifth Annual Report of the Wisconsin 

 Audubon Society 



The Wisconsin Audubon Society was 

 organized at Milwaukee in April, 1897. 

 After four years of successful work its 

 headquarters were transferred to Madison. 

 This, the Fifth Annual Report, is the 

 first issued from its new home. 



Throughout its career the Society has had 

 in view certain definite aims, the most im- 

 portant of which are: 



1. The attempt to discourage the wear- 

 ing of feathers of all birds, excepting those 

 under domestication. 



2. The preservation of our wild birds and 

 their eggs. 



3. The promotion of popular interest in 

 bird-study. 



In seeking to carry these into effect, the 

 work has progressed along certain lines, as 

 follows: 



1. Under the direction of Mrs. Elizabeth 

 G. Peckham, of Milwaukee, the continu- 

 ance and further enrollment of the school 

 branches already organized. These in- 



