The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-28

Practically every state in The union has
enacted stringent laws for the protection
of song birds, birds of plummage, and in
fact, all wild birds that may not be com
pretended under the term game" and
that are not placed beyond the pale of the
law by reason of their depredatOry habits,
says the Farmers Review. In framing
such protective legislation it is customary
to word il to Apply to insecuvorOus birds
generally, eXcluding-u by enumera-
tion-a few species, such as the jay and
the blackbird that are looked upon as the
born enemies of agrculturist and fruit
grower. Nests and eggs are also protect
ed-the penalty for killing a mocking bird
being no greater than that for robbiDg the
nest of the ground sparrow. In either case
| the law permits of no evasion. In that
governing cases of manslaughter, provis
ions are made for mitigating circum-
stances; but here there are none Evl-
deuce of a breach of the law must be fol-
lowed by conviction and the assessment
of the full amount of the fine. But what
do we see? Has this iron-clad law served
the purpose intended? No; it most decid-
edy has not, says s. Y. Henderson in
| Sports Afield There has generally been
no attempt towards enforcement. In
few localities and particularly in the East
ern states, the protection OF bird lie mas
engaged the attention of game wardens
| and nstables, but these are Isolated cases
and exceptions to the common rule.
Sportsmen of mature years rarely stoop
to the slaughter of song birds or the
pnlage of their nests Boys with their
first guns, and other boys in the first fe-
yer of the egg-collecting fad, contribute
the rank and file of offenders against TINS
particular statute; and officers, as a rule,
dislike to arrest a boy for what they are
pleased to consider a slight offense-rep-
rehensible only because IL chances to be
prohibited by a minor clause OF ride
ulously unnecessary law The law-break-
er must be taken in the act, or upon the
evidence of some witnesses thereto, and
there are very few who will lodge intor-
nation in such cases. Then, when the
culprit is In court the magistrate may. ana
frequently will, decide that the case is
too trivial for prosecution. The country
justice is free agent, gives no bonds
to insure the proper discharge OF ms
duties and Is answerable to no one Tor
the manner in which he disposes Of cases
that may be brought before him He has
been d boy, himself, and can readily re-
call his juvenile bird-killng and egg-col-
Letting days. MY SON." he viii say, m
afeard thar hain't sufficient evidence ter
send We up this time. KILN little birds
is a mighty mean bizness, an Ia love- the
best in the world. to make yer pay fer
yer fun; SO look out what yer doin' arter
this" And The youthful avicde takes his
advice. and Clocks OUT so carefully that
il would require a skilled detective to Sc
cure evidence against him thereafter.
our song birds are getting the worst OF
every deal Public sentiment must under
go a radical change before steps can b.
taken 20 prevent their now seemingly as
surcd determination. Some Of the once
familiar and best loved species are ai-
ready becoming Of rare occurrence. even
in the semi-scttled regions where they
are practically immune from human perse-
eutlon. ln their annual migratons the
"dcad line is passed ana they find their
doom Millions OF robins are slaughtered
yearly ana BOZ some states are sold openly
in the markets us game. ThN cardinal
bird, once so common throughout the
south. has already become 70 rare that
10 sse one 10 considered an incident worthy