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THE AUDUBON BULLETIN 



Boy Scouts as Conservationists 



The rapid growth of the boy scout movement in the State of Illinois 

 is worth considering in its relation to the conservation of wild life. Almost 

 any intelligent boy is easily persuaded as to right and wrong of the 

 destruction of life, and can be enlisted with very little effort as a guardian 

 instead of a destroyer. That is what the teachings of the leaders in this 

 movement seem to accomplish. 



In the sixth annual report of the boy scouts of America, a comparative 

 statement is given of merit badges issued. The interest in bird study is 

 shown by the following figures: Badges given for bird study: 1911, 0; 

 1912, 2; 1913, 4; 1914, 36; 1915, 162. 



In another part of the report is a picture of two hundred or more bird 

 houses, under the heading, "Scouts become Practical Wild Life Pro- 

 tectors." The last edition of "The Scouts' Hand-book for Boys," devotes 

 eight pages to bird identification, protection, photography, and the feeding 

 of wild birds, written by a member of The National Association of 

 Audubon Societies. To this is also added a strong plea for bird protec- 

 tion, by W. T. Hornady, the famous naturalist. 



The boy scout movement is receiving the substantial support of thinking 

 .men and in Chicago and its environs, there are more than five thousand 

 scouts. The membership in the state is about fourteen thousand, and is 

 increasing rapidly. Each of these bright, intelligent boys has an influence 

 over other boys which should result in a wide-spread interest in bird 

 protection. 



