Eow to Bring the Wild Creatures Back Again 209 



jE. R, Sanborn, N. V. Zoological Society 

 A flock of wild duck. 



now scattered all along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, as 

 well as at various other localities throughout the country 

 which are favorite nesting places for the birds. Some of 

 these refuges have been established and are guarded by the 

 government; others have been donated by wealthy per- 

 sons who love birds and want to see them preserved. 



The most beautiful of the water birds have been so re- 

 lentlessly hunted by the plume gatherers that at the time 

 of the establishment of the refuges some of them were almost 

 extinct and it was feared the birds would not be able to sur- 

 vive. But in most cases the effect of protection was magi- 

 cal. The bird refuges in the Southern coast islands and 

 marshes which were almost deserted are now alive again 

 with birds. Here we can get some idea of the wonderful 

 richness of life before the bird hunters began their work. 

 Even now, in spite of the watchful patrols, the hunters 



