A fifth attempt is now being made, backed by Lord Curzon. Germany is reported as ripe 
for such action. Australia two years ago prohibited importation into her territory of the 
plumage of many birds, including all those that are in immediate danger of extermination. 
Finally, a similar project is under way in the United States. When a Democratic Con¬ 
gress was elected, pledged to a revision of the tariff, it seemed to me an opportune moment 
to secure the insertion in the new tariff of a clause prohibiting importation of the plumage 
of any wild bird. I suggested the plan to a number of persons, including such able and 
energetic bird protectionists as Dr. W. T. Hornaday, Director of the New York Zoological 
Park, T. Gilbert Pearson, Secretary of the National Association of Audubon Societies, E. H. 
Forbush, State Ornithologist of Massachusetts, and Jefferson Butler, President of the Michigan 
Audubon Society, all of whom received it with enthusiasm and immediately took it up with 
zeal. We inaugurated a vigorous and successful campaign, and when the tariff hill was 
passed by the House of Representatives it contained the measure I had suggested. 
The Finance Committee of the Senate, however, modified the provision twice, first 
exempting from its restrictions such species as are commonly recognized as edible or pestif¬ 
erous (a practical nullification of the original measure), and later, while the bill was in 
caucus, making it apply only to aigrettes, thus proposing to permit the destruction of all 
birds except egrets to continue unchecked. 
The bill was reported to the Senate in this form. Almost immediately, however, Senator 
McLean, the author of the migratory bird bill which recently became a law, offered an 
amendment to restore the original provision as it passed the House of Representatives. 
We are now uniting in an urgent appeal to all who favor the preservation of the beautiful 
birds of the world (and who does not?) to deluge the Senate with such a flood of individual 
and personal protests as will show that body how vast a majority of intelligent and influen¬ 
tial citizens condemn the action of the Finance Committee and demand restoration of the 
House provision, as moved by Senator McLean. Not merely sympathy but active support 
is necessary in the present contingency. Every man and woman is urged to write a strong 
letter of protest to the senators of his or her State, and also to Senator F. M. Simmons of 
North Carolina, who, as Chairman of the Finance Committee and prospectively an important 
member of the conference committee that will be appointed to adjust differences between 
the blouse and Senate in the tariff hill, is the most powerful and influential person in the 
matter. He alone has power to authorize a modification of the terms of the bill while it is 
before the Senate; and when the bill shall be in conference he will probably be one of six 
(two of whom it is most likely will be favorable to the measure) who will have authority to 
give final shape to the provision. (A list of Senators is given at the end of this circular.) 
Friends of the birds, lovers of beauty, advocates of humane treatment of the lower 
forms of life, upholders of the Christian doctrines of love, tenderness, and mercy, it is for you 
to determine whether or not this attempt to save our birds from cruelty and extermination 
shall succeed or fail. For if enough take the matter up with the Senate, that body will yield 
to the popular voice, the McLean amendment will be adopted, and, as there will be no 
difference to be adjusted in conference, the Senate’s action will be final. England and 
Germany, strengthened by our action, will adopt similar laws; France, the feather trade 
badly damaged by the withdrawal of three such important markets, and subjected to pres¬ 
sure from outside, will soon have to fall in line; and 
THE BIRDS WILL BE SAVED. 
Henry Oi.dvs, 
Silver Spring, Maryland. 
August 7, 1913. 
