WHY STUDY BIRDS ? 



Its Practical and Esthetic Value. 



By John Dryden Kuser 



Generalization is an easy way of accusation, vin- 

 dication or explanation. Specific examples and care- 

 ful and reasonable arguments are more difficult and 

 therefore naturally more infrequent. Because of their 

 rarity they are all the more treasured. 



One of many cases where generalities are over- 

 abundant is in the attempts made to answer my titled 

 question. So rare is an answer found which is of the 

 slightest benefit to such persons as ask the question, 

 that it is certainly to be considered worthy of note 

 when one is discovered which in a clear, comprehensive 

 way, actually explains to the inquirer why birds 

 should be studied. Many times I have been asked the 

 query by those who were not interested in birds ; and 

 in each case I knew by the words and looks of my 

 questioner that my explanation in no way appealed to 

 or convinced him. Nevertheless, although fully real- 

 izing the difficulty of treating the subject and realiz- 

 ing also my inability to do so successfully, yet I will 

 try here to show a few reasons why I think we should 

 study birds. 



To me there appear two distinct classes into which 

 the various values may be grouped : class one contain- 

 ing all practical values including economic and intel- 

 lectual benefits; class two containing all esthetic 

 values, chiefly derived through the channels of 

 aesthetic pleasure and sport. I consider these classes 



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