372 Roosevelt Wild Life Bulletin 



it fairly merits, and in accomplishing this the best interests of the 

 parks will be promoted. I have no plea for the special considera- 

 tion of wild life. 



Generally speaking I fear that too many of our park adminis- 

 trators think of wild life mainly when it conflicts with their visit- 

 ing public, that is, when an animal disturbs or injures the park 

 visitors. In the Palisades Interstate Park poisonous snakes, leeches, 

 mosquitoes and "water bloom" are examples of this sort of un- 

 pleasant relation between the public and the native organic popu- 

 lation of the park. But this is only one aspect of the animal problem. 

 In addition to this protective phase there is as well an even more 

 important one which concerns the active interest in parks caused 

 by the presence of wild life. We have in the United States thous- 

 ands of small and large local and national organizations devoted to 

 and centering about some branch of natural history. There are 

 bird clubs, flower clubs and entomological societies of great variety. 

 Then there are literally htmdreds of sportmen's and outdoor organ- 

 izations of all kinds, a large number of which take a healthy and 

 sane interest in wild animals. In the aggregate these people make 

 a considerable assemblage who can be depended upon, under proper 

 leadership, to take much interest in wild nature in these parks and 

 work for its welfare. So far as known to me no systematic effort 

 has been made to interest and enlist the support of all such organ- 

 izations. In England this class of people has for a long time been 

 one of the main supporters of the large public parks. Thus Buxton 

 ('84, pp. vi-viij writes: 



"I find that the most intelligent interest is taken in our wood- 

 lands by those who there pursue their studies in one or other of 

 the branches of Natural History. Many of them are of humble 

 station; but as members of societies, which are very^ numerous in 

 London, of botanists, ornithologists, fungologists and microscopists, 

 they are enthusiastic searchers into nature. I have therefore added 

 some chapters on the different forms of life which they may expect 

 to find in the course of their rambles." 



W'hile I shall refer mainly to wild life I wish it clearly under- 

 stood that this implies also a proper living environment for it, in 

 order to be assured of its best utilization by the public. This in- 

 ■volves natural living conditions when living free, and suitable con- 

 ditions when confined. 



Although speaking primarily of animals I believe that the gen- 

 eral principles discussed apply to many other features of nature. 

 mcluding the geography, geolog}-, the plants and the scenery : 



