Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-07-24

10 the Editor OF IHE EvkSIN0 STAN:
The destruction OF birds has been 20 great foe
several years past that many Of them are fast
going the way OF the bufialo-never to return,
Among the important agencies In bird destruo.
ton Is the baa small boy OF both town and
country. Brd-nest robbinR 10 one OF the indt-
cations OF natural depravity, while the birds
themselves are fair target Tor 4 stone, a sling,
or "A pea shooter. Then there is the tramp, or
perhaps newly arrived foreign-born citissn,
who equips himself with q cheap shot gun,
some bird traps, clap nets or drugged grain.apd
hes himself ~ the suburbs OF cities Cor indis-
crlminat at slaughter or capture Finally the
for years, from Maine to Florida; In fact The
whole OF the United States has been laid uu-
purposes Ii is therefore no longer surprising
that many species and even genera OF birds
are fast disappearing from our midst. With ala
thai has been said and written during The past
winter against the decoration OF hats with
stuffed birds and wings, ignorance can no
longer be urged in palliation OF u bArbarous
fashion, and very effective measures should be
taken TO protect the few remaining birds.
Nearly all the states and territories have On
game and fish, but even these are crude and
unsatisfactory; aud especially SO are the laws
relating 70 the protection Of useful birds.
robins, woodpeckers aud Jays aud other
song birds are without protection In many
states. Massachusetts and New Jersey have
recently taken the Initiative and have had
their bird laws amended with very satisfactory
Results. the bill WAS introduced into the lsgis-
ialuic vi ~scW Jersey anu pdsstu Will only ou0
negative vote. Under the new bird laws OF
Massachusetts two men were each dned $40
and costs, making sos, for shooting robins.
Birds, as regards legislation, may be divided
into two classes-game birds and all Others NOS
such; and the laws relating 10 each should %
separate and distinct The more Intelligent
sportsmen will dict&te more or less wise legisla-
ton Tor the preservation OF game BIRDS All the
others should be lett 70 bird lovers and the
more humane portion of the public, and u u
not enough TO make laws, but they should be
enforced. As O writer 10 the OrnithologicoA
Union says: "The game and bird laws should
be enforced by men appointed for the purpose,
who ought to receive q salary that they may
make II a business" IL possible, IL would bo
well to have uniform laws throughout ali the
states and territories. With a desire TO bring
about more intelligent and desirable legtsla-
ton for the protection everywhere and n all
times of all birds not properly 70 be regarded
game birds the American Ornithologists' union
Conn ,niltee on bird protection have had under
careful consideration a draught Of q bird NV
drawn with special reference 10 Ats fitness for
general adoption throughout the United states
and the British provinces. II II Intended -
guide or model which may serve rs = basis Tor
legislation. A bill OF this sort should have been
introduced In Congress in May, but, perhaps, &C.
IN not too late 70 amend matters. One section
ought to please W ashingtonisus, for, according
to section 8, 1.-The English or European house
sparrow (Passer Oomesticuo) 10 not tncluoo0
among the birds protected BY this act
AMERICAN ORNIT10LO0LSH uNxo2.