economic Clafae of P^ird^ to tf)e ^tate. 



By frank M. chapman 



associate curator of mammology and ornithology in the 

 american museum of natural history. 



Tl)e ^ird and tl)e 3tate. 



THE bird is the property of the State. From this fundamental conception of 

 the bird's legal status there can be no logical ground for dissent. If a 

 certain species of bird is conclusively proven to be injurious to the agricul- 

 tural or other interests of the State, no one would deny the State's right to destroy 

 that species. If, on the contrary, a species is shown to be beneficial, then the 

 State has an equal right to protect it. Indeed, we may go further and say it is not 

 only the right, but the duty of the State to give to its birds the treatment they 

 deserve. Here is the great Commonwealth of New York with agricultural and for- 

 estry industries which annually yield products valued at $266,000,000. In the 

 closest relation to the welfare of these industries stands a group of animals 

 represented by some 350 species and millions of individuals. Obviously, then, it 

 is the first duty of the State to learn definitely in what way or ways the presence of 

 these incalculably abundant creatures affects its crops and forests. 



If they are harmful how are they to be destroyed ? If they are valuable how 

 are they to be preserved ? In short, the State should take all necessary steps to 

 appraise its vast possessions in bird-life. 



The government at Washington realizes the importance of this subject and in 

 1886 it established, in the Department of Agriculture, a Division of Economic 

 Ornithology and Mammology, with the object of learning accurately the economic 

 relations of birds and mammals to man. Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, 

 Massachusetts and New Hampshire, among the States, have made investigations 

 with the same end in view. Now the South is awakening to the vital importance of 

 this practical side of natural history research. At the Annual Session of the Texas 

 Farmers' Congress, held at College Station, Texas, July 17, 1902, Professor H. P. 

 Attwater, a prominent ornithologist in the State, was invited to make an address on 

 " The Relation of Birds to the Farmer." In commenting on this address The State, 



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