A number of Audubon Magazine readers have sent along their thoughts
regarding the advertisement of "The Lost Folk Art of Crow Taming."
Your concern for bird conservation is evident and shared by others
troubled by this recent advertisement. Clearly, it is only through
the committed voices and actions of individuals like you that the
National Audubon Society can fulfill its mission to conserve and
restore our natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife and
their habitat.

Audubon's strategy for bird conservation succeeds because it harnesses
the synergy that builds when education, science and community activism
unite, and respects and upholds law. Given this, I fully empathize
with your concern regarding the possible contradiction between this
advertisement and Audubon. Before we allowed the author to advertise
his book, we read it and determined that while it describes the folk
art of catching, taming and keeping a wild crow, it also includes the
caveat that American Crows are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act, and therefore, legal possession of crows requires a federal
permit. The book is written by an author with a great appreciation of
crows, and not only explains legal aspects, but displays a sensitivity
to the subject difficult to see in the ad alone.

The National Audubon Society believes that one of the best ways to
learn about and appreciate the marvels of wild birds is by careful
observation in the field, not by the keeping of wild animals as pets.
By stepping out and participating in nature, we can learn while
keeping wild birds wild. As a result of the sensitivity expressed by
several Audubon Magazine readers to this ideal, we have decided to
reject advertising for this book in the future, and for books or
products advocating similar programs if offered.

James H. Fishman
Vice President/Publisher
Audubon Magazine