New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-12
DESTRUCTION OF WILD FOWL
SENATOR MITCHELL THINKS THE EGGS
SHOULD BE PROTECTED.

SENATOR MITCHELL THINKS THE EGGS
SHOULD BE PROTECTED.
Senator John H. Mitchell, OF Oregon. while In the
city recently told some things about the WIZ iow'
in the Northwest and In Alaska that VIII De OF IN
terest to sportsmen generally. and also 70 those
who are interested In preserving from absolute de-
sruction the original wild birds OF this continent
Senator Mitchell though perhaps not so enthusiasts
tic a sportsman as many other members OF the
Senate who 20 matchmaking down the Bay or tar
pom fishing in Florida waters. is nevertheless.
deeply interested in the wild fowl OF America anu
as a student of existing conditions has come 10
realize that unless something Is done TO stop the
indiscrminate slaughter and criminal waste attend
ant upon the hunt for these birds II VIII not De long
before the game birds OF the Pacific S.ope are ex-
tinct Senator Mitchell. In speaking OF the way IN
which these fowl being destroyed. said:
eft Is not at the door Of the huntsman or legiti-
rate snortsman that the blame for the wholesale
destruction OF these birds can be laid. The whole
coast might resound 10 the echo OF the sportsmans
towing pece, and but little impression would De
made upon the millions and millions OF WILD Dirus
that make this territory their home. The trouo'e
comes from another source, and the legitimate
hunter is as much interested In putting an end to
the wanton slaughter as any one else. nave
taken the matter up In the Senate and perhaps the
following resolution offered by me will explain
the way In which I trying to protect the wild
birds OF our country:
Amendment 10 the sundry Civil Appropriation
For the purpose of paying the salary and defra ;S
ing the necessary expenses OF an agent o. .ne
report to sad department to the alleged destruc
ton Of eggs q game wa ow 70 b ADOPTED to pre-
vent such destruction In the future; such agent 10
Be sHSns s By ;as IF Hf PET
his necessary travelling expenses. the sum OF $6.0oo
The purpose OF the legislation proposed by the
amendment Is to prepare the way for legislation
looking to the protection from indiscriminate and
reckless destruction OF the eggs OF toothsome Wild
fowl such as wild duck. geese and swan. In their
great breeding grounds In Alaska. This In the last
few wears has tended mostly TO diminish the num-
Der of these valuable wild fowl In this country
particularly in the States and Territories west OF
the Rocky Mountains"
The principal breeding grounds OF these FOWL
which in the winter months cover the rivers lakes
and ponds OF the Northwest, and which are not
only the delight OF the sportsmen out furhish
nutritious and wholesome food for many thousands
OF people, are In series OF small Valleys anu
lakes In southwestern Alaska The largest OF these
IL nearly opposite Kodiak Island, on the mainland
Another breeding ground where these migratory
fowl deposit their eggs by the million and hatch
their young is at or near the mouth OF the Yukon
River, while still another Is near ~, Michael ana
stu another near the mouth OF Copper River
II Is a fact perhaps. not generally known that
for the purpose OF obtaining ova or egg slbumen
which is largely used In commerce, certain cor
poratIons have been formed and large amounts Of
oapitaI have been Invested for the purpose OF gath
efing IN th,sa breeding grounds and packing ana
shlpang annually vast millions of tho esss OF these
ducks and geese, Tho shipments annually over tho
Canadian Pacific Railroad Of these Gags ara said
TO DO enormous Not nfreauenty ne many as 100
ZOO or 100 barrels Of these eggs are forwarded IN
one train OF cars These eggs are taken mainly
from the breeding grounds IN Alaska. n small pro-
portion. perhaps but very small. comes from
In taking these eggs. innumerable numbers that
are partly Matched are destroyed Dried albumen
IL n valuable article Of commerce. largely used In
this and other countries. 1T Is largely used In the
testing and manufacture Of peP;n and other chem
fects by involving during Its coaguaton the undis
solved particles rising with them to the surface or
sublimaie and sulphate Of copper 1t is used In
s ns used between folds OF the
IN certain stages Of opnthaama It is aso used
arations, and put to varied uses
Ess.albumsn cake sells usually for about 25 cents
Sl from the Of the aomests hen but
these later years the demand is supplied chiefly
from the the ss Ct 81 .d s
but e. rue "a the 81 the S and
thought to be superior in avor and other respects
10 those Of the Po,omae: has done more in the
ton. Idaho, Montana and California, than ali the
re so These Wholesale robberies and destruction
% s;s S s 1. sn Of
should be prohibited BY law under severe penalties,
Se sst ea at ALL ss
guards. We iegislate' and very properly. too. for
tory OF Aiaska ,,N Why not then Tor the protection
Appropriation bill provides for thorough lnvesti
CATION OF this whole business by an agent OF the
sr aS fer Which If.
session Of Congress as may from such investigation
Mitchell Is now in the hands Of the COMMITTEES
hs am not the
this work Of trying to protect our game birds.
ana Srs gfoss Of ss SsSn'
some valuable data TO my attention through w.
6res Storey nf NY
way Of the water fowl still remains. but the flights
used 70 l s the Of the
the great nesting and breeding grounds are in
ter. he says. is frightful. and unless something is
make the laws mors 'Rr rs game birds
IN. ' %s B %s@' pgesco" %
r resi- c The second section Of the act reads
Sc: sSS q sps sss 'y e n ~
SSSny By SlSsr b RrSSs' s..,
any year or years. in any place or places. within
asa s az .a q BIRD. ssSs ,S g.;
by aSs said County Council and set forth the
:Hd ,S Ssfr 90 TAs shs
Otherwise the par!iersr ;psSss o. MILD birds
the o8ssr shall 81 iSs sH n:
on rsSrss sifY.remt lines Something should
be done. and hope to see my 'oea carried out BY