SMfTHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES 



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SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY OF SAN ANTONIO 



in their opinions and whose views on game protection do not 

 always coincide, will be much more likely to come to some satis- 

 factory agreement or understanding in friendly consultation, 

 than through newspaper controversies, which often include more 

 or less undeserved abuse and ridicule, unkind insinuations, unfair 

 criticism and bitter sarcasm. 



In conclusion, I will say that one of the reasons why I am 

 a strong advocate of the preservation of fish and game is because 

 I am fond of fishing and hunting, but the main reason why I 

 am in favor of bird protection, is because many years experience 

 in Texas as a field naturalist, gave me favorable opportunities 

 for becoming acquainted with the life histories and food habits 

 of many wild creatures and I well know the valuable services 

 many of the species render to mankind and particularly in con- 

 nection with agriculture and horticulture. Few people realize 

 how enormous is the number of insect pests, or how amazing 

 their power of reproduction, especially among certain species of 

 weevils and plant lice ; and few persons realize the importance and 

 value of insect eating birds (now rapidly diminishing in number) 

 in combatting and controlling these pests. 



I have no personal interests to serve, no "axe to grind," and I 

 concede the right of any one to disagree with me, but I am abso- 

 lutely certain that Texas people are making a great mistake in 

 permitting the wanton and reckless destruction of valuable and 

 useful wild life and that the future interests of the State demand 

 that it be put a stop to, before it is too late. 



