Page 411 - Our Vanishing Wild Life

DUTY OF ZOOLOGISTS AND EDUCATORS 389
servation of wild life is not one of the declared objects of the American Museum corporation, or one on which its officers may spend money, as is so freely and even joyously done by the Zoological Society. The Museum's influence has been exerted chiefly through the active workers of the State Audubon Society, and it was as president of that body that Professor Osborn subscribed to the fund that was so largely instrumental in creating the New York law against the sale of game.
There is room for an important improvement in the declared objects of the American Museum. To the cause of protection it is a distinct loss that that great and powerful institution should be unable to spend any money in promoting the preservation of our fauna from annihi- lation. An amendment to its constitution is earnestly recommended.
The activities of the New York Zoological Society began in 1896> and they do not require comment here. They have been continuous, aggressive and far-reaching, and they have been supported by thousands of dollars from the Society's treasury. It is true that the funds available for protection work have not represented a great annual sum, such as the work demands, but the amount being expended from year to year is steadily increasing. In serious emergencies there is always something available! Duringthepasttwoyears,torelievetheSocietyofaportion of this particular burden, the director of the Park secured several large subscriptions from persons outside the Society, who previously had never entered into this work.
The Milwaukee Public Museum has entered activel^^ and effectively into the fight to preserve the birds of Wisconsin from annihilation by the saloon-loafer element that three years ago determined to repeal the best bird laws on the books, and throw the shooting privilege wide open. Mr. Henry L. Ward, Director of the Museum, went to the firing line, and remained there. Last year the saloon element thought that they had a large majority of the votes in the legislature pledged to vote their way. Itlookedlikeit; butwhenthedecentpeopleagainroseandde- manded justice for the birds, the members of the legislature stood by them in large majorities. The spring-shooting, bag-limit and hunting- license laws were not repealed.
The University of Kansas (Lawrence) scored heavily for the cause of wild-life protection when in 1908 it gave to the Governor of the state the services of a member of its faculty, Professor Lewis Lindsay Dyche, who was wanted to fill the position of State Fish and Game Commissioner. Professor Dyche proved to be a very live wire, and his activities have coveredtheStateofKansastoitsfarthestcorners. Welovehimforthe host of enemies he has made—among the poachers, game-butchers, pseudo-"sportsmen"andlawbreakersgenerally. Themenwhothought they had the "pull" of friendship for lawbreaking were first warned, and then as second offenders hauled up to the bar, one and all. The more the destroyers try to hound the Commissioner, the more popular is he with the great, solid mass of good citizens who bclic\'c in the saving of wild life.