FEDERAL PROTECTION OF MIGRATORY BIRDS. 
By George A. Lawyer, 
Chief U. 8. Game Warden, Bureau of Biological Survey. 
BIRD PROTECTION AN ECONOMIC QUESTION. 
T HE MYRIADS of migratory birds that fairly astounded 
the early explorers of this country before its virgin 
forests had been destroyed, its green fields trodden to dust 
by the feet of tramping millions, or its silences broken by 
the din of thousands of cities, have inspired the writing of 
volumes of literature. These volumes have told of the 
wanton and thoughtless slaughter of the birds, and have 
given warning of their certain disappearance with the set¬ 
tlement of the country and the usurpation of the forests, 
fields, and streams that had furnished shelter, food, and 
breeding places for these feathered hosts. Other volumes 
have set forth the steps that should be taken to save the birds 
from the ultimate extinction threatened by the acts of people 
ignorant of their real economic value, and have told of 
the annual destruction of millions of dollars’ worth of for¬ 
ests and crops by injurious insects formerly kept under sub¬ 
jection by the birds. Yet all the while the birds were actu¬ 
ally being exterminated, in spite of such protection as could 
be afforded by the laws of various States. 
The food value and economic importance of the migratory 
birds of the United States, amounting to many millions of 
dollars annually, justify the widespread interest in their 
preservation. Not less important is the esthetic value of 
birds—the inspiration and stimulus which they give to the 
moral sense, and the charm and beauty which they lend to 
the life of all our people. Researches by the Bureau of 
Biological Survey into the economic value of insectivorous 
birds have proved that they insure the farmer against out¬ 
breaks of insect pests, a most serious menace to the agricul¬ 
tural wealth of the country. Valuable in other ways are the 
game birds, which not only furnish delightful and pleasing 
recreation to the great army of American sportsmen, but add 
materially to the food supply of millions of people. 
STATE PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 
The measures necessary to insure adequate protection for 
bird life have been well known, but diversified and selfish 
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