CHAPTER XV 
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BIRD WORLD 
Bird Destruction. — There are many things 
to be learned about birds besides their names, 
and their length in millimetres. To-day the 
first thing to be taught is the fact that from 
this time henceforth all birds must be protected, 
or they will all be exterminated. 
To-day, it is a safe estimate that there is a 
loaded cartridge for each living bird. Each 
succeeding year produces a new crop of gun- 
demons, eager to slay, ambitious to make records 
as sportsmen or collectors. If a bird is so un- 
fortunate as to possess plumes, or flesh which 
can be sold for ten cents, the mob of pot-hunters 
seeks it out, even unto the ends of the earth. 
Quite recently two “plume-hunters” went at the 
risk of their lives to Tiburon Island, Gulf of 
Lower California, to kill egrets for their plumes ; 
and both were killed by the savage Indians there. 
In 1897-98 the writer made for the New York 
Zoological Society a careful inquiry into the vol- 
ume of bird life in the United States, with special 
reference to its increase or decrease during the 
fifteen years prior to that date. From one hun- 
dred and eighty competent and conscientious 
observers, representing thirty-four states and 
territories, reports were received in answer to a 
series of questions, all of which were carefully 
tabulated. 1 Throughout my calculations, wher- 
ever a doubt existed, the living birds were given 
the full benefit of it. 
Four states, Kansas, Wyoming, Utah and 
Washington, show an increase in bird-life. Thirty 
states show decreases varying from ten per cent, 
to ninety per cent., but with a general average 
decrease from 1883 to 1898 of forty-six per cent.! 
In the adjoining detailed statement, the shaded 
portions show the percentages of decrease 
throughout the states named during the period 
reported upon: 
1 “ The Destruction of Our Birds and Mammals.” 
By William T. Hornaday. Second Annual Report 
(1898) of the New York Zoological Society. Until 
the present edition is exhausted, copies of this paper 
will be mailed to teachers, on application. 
DECREASE IN BIRD LIFE IN 30 STATES, 
IN 15 YEARS. 
Maine 
.52% 
New Hampshire. 
.32% 
Vermont 
.30% 
Massachusetts . . 
■ 27% 
Rhode Island 
-60% 
Connecticut 
• 75% 
New York 
-48% 
New Jersey 
.37% 
Pennsylvania . . . 
.51% 
Ohio 
.38% 
Indiana 
.60% 
Illinois 
.38% 
Michigan 
.23% 
Wisconsin 
■ 40% 
Iowa 
.37% 
Missouri 
-36% 
Nebraska 
-10% 
North Dakota. . . 
■ 58% 
Dist. of Columbia. 33% 
South Carolina. . 
• 32% 
Georgia 
.65% 
Florida 
■77% 
Mississippi 
■37% 
Louisiana 
-55% 
Arkansas 
.50% 
Texas 
.67% 
Indian Territory .75% 
Montana 
-75% 
Colorado 
-28% 
Idaho 
■40% 
Average of above . 46% 
Since the above 
of bird-life appears to have changed so slightly 
that in 1903 conditions are practically as they 
were in 1898. 
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