In 1899, when the first issue of this magazine hit the presses, hundreds of thousands of birds were being killed for sport and fashion. Gulls were made into muffs, eggs were collected like stamps, and a solid life list could be tallied by surveying women’s hats. Much has changed since then. 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú societies, which numbered just 15 at the time, multiplied and banded together with the help of the new publication. Their members pressed for bird protections—and won them: first bans on trading wildlife and importing feathers, then safeguards for species that crossed international boundaries. New threats to birdlife emerged, and advocates mounted fresh campaigns to address them, turning their attention to protecting habitat. Renowned artists and writers, scientists and politicians, joined the effort; kids did, too, inspired by “Bird Day” at school and the advent of nature centers. Progress was by turns slow and swift; some species were lost, but many rebounded. In time...
