The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1877-03-25

TO the Editor of THE HERALD;


Having heard many complaints from
farmers and others on account of the
unnecessary and cruel destruction Of
birds throughout the country, we think
that you, as editor Of II popular paper,
may, through the columns Of The HER
AID, do much toward calling the atten-
ton Of the people Of this State to the
necessity" Of legislation in the matter.
Would it not be well that petitions,
something like the following, be crcu-
lated among the people for signatures,
and the same be presented to the
legislature at its next session.
Could not this petition be cut from
Tm HERALD and pasted to subscription
sheets, and these, when filled with all
the names that can be procured, be
handed to the editors of the various
newspapers interested in the matter, or
to any of the members of the legisla
ture? 1t seems as though every grange
in the State ought to take an active in
terest in this matter,
Tho last two clauses in the petition,
referring to game birds, can be cut off if
any one OF the parties circulating copy
think it, would hinder persons from
signing the main part ......
To thp Honorable, the Legislature of the
Etptc o Texas:
WuERaAs The inscclivorous birds OF
our State are, as far rs we know, the
most effective enemies to the various
noxious insects that at times do great
damage to our agricultural and horti-
cultural interests and
WHEREAS, The beautiful plumage nj
some, and the sweet songs of others, of
our native birds, render them a very
attractive feature in natures adernment
of our woods and fields and
WHEREAS, The capture of the young
of the most attractive of our bird has,
within the last few years, resulted in u
very perceptible decrease of their num-
Der, amounting almost to the utter eX-
termination OF the hooking birds, cs-
pecally in the vicinity OF our larger
towns; and,
WHEREAS, The taking of young birds
from their nests and exposing them for
sale on the streets and at the railroad
depots, resulting in the death of nearly
three,iourth OF those so treate |, is, to
say the. least, extremely cruel; there
FORE
ReSoiccd, That we, the undersigned,
would most respectfully petition your
honorable body to enact stringent laws
for the protection, within TIE State OF
Texas, OF hooking birds, red birds, field
larls, small black birds or tly-catchers
and all other song birds or warblers
except those known to be more de-
structive than beneficial to the aSricul-
tural interests of the State.
First-~,rhat it shall be male unlaw-
full within the State of Texas for any
person or persons to kill ay of the
birds above mentioned, or to destroy or
mjure their eggs or nests.
Second-Or for any person persons,
except on his or her own land, to cap.
ture amy of the aforementioned birds,
or to take the young of such birds from
their nests, during such time as the
State shall be invaded by grasshoppers.
Third-Or for any person or persons
within the State Of Texas either pri-
vately or publicly, to offer or expose for
sale amy OF the aforementioned birds,
unless the birds SO offered or exposed
for sale, shall be full grown and fully
ledged. -H. ..
We would further respectfully ask
your honorable body to take into con-
sidcration the necessity, or propriety of
extending legislative protection to our
game birds, during their breeding sea
son; also, the protection of prairie
chickens, plover and other migratory
birds.