2l8 



Bird -Lore 



GUY M. BRADLEY 



THE startling announcement was sent to the National Association on July 14, that 

 Guy M. Bradley was shot and instantly killed while making an arrest at a rookery 

 on Oyster Key, Florida, on July 8. Full particulars of this unfortunate affair 

 have not been received, although it is known that his murderer has been captured and is 

 now confined in the county jail at Key West. Senator Harris has been retained to repre- 

 sent the National Association at the preliminary hearing in the case. The deceased acted 

 as warden in Monroe County, a wild and thinly settled district, for over three years, hav- 

 ing commenced his duties in May, 1902. During all this time he faithfully guarded his 

 wards, the plume birds, traveling thousands of miles in the launch Audubon, in order 

 to watch over them. He was originally recommended to the Association by Mr. Kirk Mon- 

 roe, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Florida Audubon Society, who said that he was fear- 

 less and brave and had an extensive knowledge of the country and the birds that lived there. 

 A number of well-known ornithologists and members of the Association visited Bradley at 

 different times, and always found him alert and faithful in the performance of his duty, and 

 willing to undergo any hardship to protect the birds. He took a personal interest in his 

 work and was genuinely proud when he could report an increase in numbers. He told the 

 writer in February last that he felt while he was away from his home, cruising among the 

 Keys, or patrolling the swamp, that his life was in his hands, for the plume-hunters, whose 

 nefarious traffic he so seriously interfered with, had sworn to take his life. Even this 

 knowledge did not deter him, and he proved faithful unto death. Personally he was gentle 

 and somewhat retiring, was pure in thought and deed, deeply interested in and a supporter 

 of the small Union Church near his home. A 3'oung wife is left to mourn his sudden and 

 terrible death, and his two children, too young to realize their loss, will never know a 

 father's care, 



A home broken up, children left fatherless, a woman widowed and sorrowing, a faith- 

 ful and devoted warden, who was a young and sturdy man, cut off in a moment, for what ? 

 That a few more plume birds might be secured to adorn heartless women's bonnets. Here- 

 tofore the price has been the life of the birds, now is added human blood. Every great 

 movement must have its martyrs, and Guy M. Bradley is the first martyr in the cause of 

 bird protection. William Dutcher. 



