ELLIOTT COUES. 



25 



cannot be repeated too often, or be too strenuously insisted, 

 that interference with the established checks and balances 

 of nature is always unwise, generally dangerous, and not 

 seldom disastrous. It was done when rabbits were introduced 

 in Australia, where they have become a national nuisance. 

 It was done when we introduced the Sparrow — upon the 

 misguided, ignorant representations of such a man as the 

 late Dr. Thomas M. Brewer, against my vigorous and even 

 vehement protestations. The result of placing this sturdj^, 

 turbulent, and fecund foreigner under conditions of environ- 

 ment favorable to limitless multiplication, is before you in 

 the shape of an ineradicable pest, beyond the reach of any 

 law that could be devised, and against which we might as 

 well invoke the thunders of the Vatican in hopes of scaring the 

 Sparrow away. But in all, or nearly all, other cases, wise, 

 sound, strong laws could and should be enacted by the 

 legislature of every State and Territory in the Union, to 

 regulate relations between feathered and featherless bipeds, 

 for the benefit of each party to the transaction. Such laws, all 

 agreeing in the spirit of enlightened selfishness, perhaps also 

 colored with humane sentiment, would differ in the letter 

 according to locality ; and such difference as there should 

 be, to provide for varying geographical factors in the 

 problem, should be based upon expert ornithological opinion. 

 Such scientific testimony being given due weight, regarding 

 proper open and close seasons for game birds, regarding 

 species which it shall be unlawful to kill at any season, re- 

 garding species which may be killed at all times, or whose kill- 

 ing may be encouraged by proper provisions, the required laws 

 cannot be made too stringently sweeping or too rigorously 

 enforced by suitable penalties for their infraction, and 

 requisite means of bringing offenders to justice. 



If any such legislation as I advocate be deemed advisable 

 upon the utilitarian and even sordid considerations thus far 

 advanced, how much more imperative will not the full re- 

 quirements of this case appear, if we turn from any such 



