PRO S PE CTU S. 
nr HE SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS has 
been called into existence by the pitiless destruction which has 
for long past been carried on all over the world, hundreds of thou¬ 
sands of birds being sacrificed yearly, especially during the nesting- 
season, to supply the demands of a barbarous fashion in dress and 
decoration. 
For this ignoble object many species ot beautiful, useful, and 
melodious birds are being massacred almost to extermination. The 
world at large can ill spare the brightness and song, which are lost by 
the destruction of the rarer species, while agricultural districts are 
specially injured by the diminution of the commoner kinds provided 
by nature as the great insect and grub destroying agency ; an agency 
for which human science can furnish no efficient substitute. 
“There is / 5 Dr. Talmage writes, “only one weapon that has ever 
been formed powerful enough to wage successful war on whole species 
of destructive animalculse, and that is—a bird’s beak . 55 
The object of the Society is to preserve this valuable weapon, and 
generally to endeavour to stay, or at least to diminish, the wanton 
slaughter and waste of the exquisite and varied bird-life, designed, we 
humbly believe, by the Creator, for the help and solace of man. 
The co-operation of both sexes and of all classes and ages, is asked 
by the Society. Women are entreated to protest, by precept and ex¬ 
ample, against “ murderous millinery , 55 to abstain from the use of any 
feathers obtained from birds not killed for food, the Ostrich only ex¬ 
cepted ; and further to combine with Men in striving to procure the 
enactment and enforcement of laws (in country places of bye-laws) for 
the protection of birds as public property ; and to unite in showing an 
intelligent and loving interest in the subject which shall lead children, 
our future men and women, to cherish the freedom of our feathered 
songsters, and guard, instead of destroying, their eggs and nests. 
WAYS OF HELPING THE SOCIETY. 
By joining it either as a Member or as an Associate ; by inducing 
others to do the same ; by forming Local Branches of the Society. 
By inducing land-owners to take measures to prevent Bird-catch¬ 
ing and nest-robbing on their property. 
t ,' 
By promoting the study of the use and beauty of free living Birds, 
and quickening the interest felt for their protection in all classes of 
society and in all countries, as innocent, useful, and beautiful creatures 
of God. 
By circulating books, pairn nlets and leaflets, or arranging for 
lectures on the basis of John Rt skin’s teaching as applicable to birds, 
not to kill or hurt them needlessly, but to study how best “to save and 
comfort all gentle life, and guard and perfect all natural beauty upon 
the earth.” 
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