Page:The Scientific Monthly vol. 3.djvu/415

 CONSERVATION OF THE NATIVE FAUNA 409

There are few people in these days who deny that when the mountains are spoiled of their forests; when conspicuous and interesting species of game or bird life are destroyed; when any of the natural resources of the people are wasted, then progress is impeded, constructive works retarded, and the conditions of existence rendered more severe.

Fundamental to conservation is scientific research, of course; ad- mittedly our investigations have not penetrated very deeply into the unknown, and this first phase of our work is prerequisite to every other phase. It will doubtless be admitted, however, that we can not pos- sibly postpone action until all points in all problems become clear. This being the case it is due the commonwealth that all available information be brought to bear when legislative action is contemplated; and it is evident that the only citizens who possess any considerable body of in- formation pertinent to the biological side of the problem of conservation are the professional biologists.

It is, fortunately for all concerned, coming to be realized in ever- increasing degree, that in a democracy, the zoological representative of the people, if I may so speak, should maintain cordial and sympathetic relations with those from whom his support is derived and whom he is endeavoring to serve, and that it is only fair thalt he freely and gener- ously assume a place of leadership in the campaign for the preservation of the native fauna. Indeed, is it not true that unless the zoologist does take pains to get the word to the people at critical times, upon him must inevitably fall a share of the blame for ignorant and destructive popular action, legislative and otherwise?

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