26 
HISTORY AiSH) ^YORK OF THE 
the minds of the intellectual leaders of the race. Our birds 
are an inheritance that have always exercised a refining 
intinence, and it is wrong for ns to permit their continued 
destruction. are robbing posterity of a civilizing force 
that cannot be replaced. 
Another reason why we should forbid promiscuous killing 
of birds is the bad habits acquired by boys. Many bird- 
killing boys become indifferent to pain and acquire vicious 
habits and a wrong view of things. No boy who kills a 
bird for the ‘‘fun” of killing can be benefited by such a prac- 
tice, and many cases are on record where such boys have 
been led into other vicious habits and into the penitentiary. 
One man recently released from a ^Michigan institution says 
that the killing of birds and animals was his first bad habit, 
and further says that this habit deadened his conscience. 
Let us save the boys from acquiring such habits, habits 
which injure themselves as well as the State. 
W hatever arguments may be advanced in favor of bird- 
taking, whether because of the healthful outings enjoyed, or 
whether some inferior reason be given, there seems to be 
no one to champion destruction for millinery purposes, ex- 
cept possibly a few who profit by the trade. The millinery 
jobbers’ associations are in favor of discontinuing the use of 
wild bird feathers in the millinery trade. They are willing 
to discontinue the traffic if the demand can be abated. They 
are co-operating with the Audubon Societies. Vanity, no 
doubt, leads many women to wear the brilliant plumage of 
wild birds, but it is (piite likely that the majority have failed 
to think on the subject and do not know what a wrong they 
are perpetuating. It is the duty of the Audubon Society to 
teach these women through education or otherwise. The 
most effective method is to arouse the consciences of the 
children while they are pupils in the schools. Our school 
teachers cannot do a kindlier act for the pupil or the State 
than to engender a kindred feeling for animal life in all 
forms. 
Collectors and agents for millinery supply houses fre- 
(piently contend that the birds are just as numerous as 
ever. They say they are out in the fields and they know of 
their own knowledge. They are undoubtedly mistaken, be- 
