THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF BIRDS 



necessarily forward the best interests of the game 

 birds it is desired to serve. So important and yet 

 so unexpected is the ultimate effect of the activities 

 of predatory creatures that in a state of nature I am 

 convinced the supply of game birds is increased 

 rather than decreased by being preyed upon. Like 

 all other creatures, birds are subject to sickness 

 and disease, but by the laws of nature it appears 

 that they are not designed to suffer long. Their 

 quick removal is advisable if they are to be pre- 

 vented from spreading contagion among their fel- 

 lows, or breeding and passing on their weakness to 

 their offspring. Sometimes the Hawk, dashing at a 

 covey of game birds, may capture one of its strongest 

 and healthiest members, but the chances are that 

 the afflicted member, which is not so quick on the 

 rise or is a little slower on the wing, is the one to be 

 taken. Just as some savages are said to put to death 

 the incompetent and unfit, so do the laws operate 

 which govern wild life. If, therefore, we should 

 destroy all the Hawks, Owls, wild cats, foxes, skunks, 

 [ii7] 



