Again, there should be no sort of conflict between ultra bird protectionists and legitimate scientific ornithology. That many of the best known ornithologists occupying public positions in the United States favor the restriction of egg-collecting, etc., is amply proved by a leaflet issued in May, by Witmer Stone,[H] called "[Hints to Young Bird Students]," and signed by such men as J. A. Allen, Robert Ridgway, C. Hart Merriam, A. K. Fisher, Wm. Brewster, F. M. Chapman, John H. Sage, C. W. Richmond, T. S. Palmer, and Wm. Dutcher.
[H] See [page 125] of this number of Bird-Lore.
The Audubon Societies are responsible for meeting these liberal-minded and progressive scientists half way. There must be anatomists and embryologists to study the human body, why not then, also, of the feathered brotherhood, only it is not necessary for mankind in general to keep skeletons of either birds or people in their closets for this purpose, and the random collecting of either should be regarded as equally reprehensible.
I would see humanity and science allied in this matter. If the Audubon Societies confess that this is impossible, they are taking the responsibility of harnessing humanity with ignorance,—a horse that will drag any companion into the ditch.
Let "For the Protection of Birds" be the banner motto under which the Audubon Society shall go out, as it is bound, to teach (not to preach) the 'bird in the bush,' but the teaching need be none the less humane, and will be far more effectual if, instead of 'dicky-bird' platitudes of uncertain sex and species, it deals out good, sound, popular ornithology.
M. O. W.
The So-called Sparrow War in Boston
In the month of March, 1898, a committee organized by the American Society of Bird Restorers presented to the Mayor of Boston in person the following petition, signed by a host of representative Bostonians:
"To Hon. Josiah Quincy, Mayor of Boston.
"The undersigned petitioners hereby respectfully represent that the presence in Boston of hosts of the noxious imported Finch, known as the English Sparrow, has come to be a public nuisance, general expense and serious esthetic injury, imperatively calling for prompt municipal abatement.