Page:Bird-lore Vol 01.djvu/238

 A Note on the Economic Value of Gulls BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN With photographs from nature by the author F the inhabitants of our Gulf States had believed that Egrets were as valuable to them alive, as they know Turkey Buzzardsa nd Black Vultures to be, they would, doubtless, never have permitted their destruction. Similarly, we think that if the services rendered by Gulls were fully appreciated, the birds would be pro- tected by a sentiment as strong as that which pre- serves the Buzzards. It is possible that the day may come when a bird's beauty will be a sufficient reason for its existence ; but in the meantime we must base our appeals for bird protection on more material grounds if we would hope to have them effectual. In pleading the cause of the Gulls, therefore, we will not mention the accompanying picture of the birds with their young, beautiful as it is. KITTIWAKES AND VUUNG ON NESTS Bird Rock, Gulf St. Lawrence, July a6, 1898 for we realize that with the millinery collector it would only create a de- sire to visit a locality were Gulls are evidently so tame that they could be killed with ease ; but we would call particular attention to the ap- parently uninteresting photograph which follows it. This photograph was made in the lower bay of New York harbor on (10)