Evening star., 1900-10-15
Dr. T. S. Palmer's Work in the Pro-
lection Of Birds.
rWENFY-SII HUNDRED SKINS SEIZED
Effort Being Made for Restoration
Of Extinct Species.
SOCIETIES INTERESTED

Dr. L. =. Ialmer, assistant Cnle1 III ine
biological survey OF the Department OF Ag-
riculture. who has been specially charged
by Secretary Wilson with the execution OF
what is commonly known as the Lacy law.
an act Of Congress approved by President
Mckinley May Is, 19OO has entered upon q
vigorous campaign in a number OF north
ern cities, and few days ago seized in
Baltimore 2,60O skins Of birds which had
been killed in violation of law. So far no
violations of the statute have been reported
in the District Of Columbia. but the depart
ment. 1t Is understood, through its agents,
will keep a close watch on dealers in dead
birds. and Will even inspect millinery
stores to see that the provisions of the law
are respected.
The object and purposes of the Lacey act
are to aid In the restoration of birds in
have become scarce or extinct. and also to
regulate the Introduction of American or
foreign birds or animals in localities where
they have not heretofore existed.
The law. which Is very explicit, makes 1t
unlawful for any person persons TO de-
liver to any common carrier, or for any
common carrier to transport from one state
or territory to another state or territory. or
from the District of Columbia or Alaska to
any state or territory, or from any state or
territory to the District of Columbia or
Alaska, any foreign animals or birds the
importation of which is prohibited. or the
dead bodies or parts thereof of any wild
animals or birds where such animals or
birds have been killed in violation of the
laws of the state, territory or district in
which the same were killed. An exception
is. however made in the case of any dead
birds or animals killed during the season
when the same may be lawfully captured.
and the export Of which Is not prohibited
by law In the state, territory district in
which the same are killed.
Must he Plainly Marked.
The bill further provides that all pack
ages containing such dead animals, birds or
parts thereof when shipped by interstate
commerce. as previously directed in the act,
shall be plainly and clearly marked. SO
that the name and address of the shipper
and the nature Of the contents may he
readily ascertained on inspection of the out
side Of such packages. For each evasion
or violation of the act the shipper shall
upon conviction. pay fine of not exceeding
500; and the consignee knowingly receiv-
ing such articles so shipped and transport
ed In violation of this act shall, upon con-
viction, pay a fine of not exceeding 500;
and the carrier knowingly carrying or
transporting the same shall. upon conyic-
ton. pay fine Of not exceeding $500.
The law further makes 1t obligatory that
all dead bodies, or parts thereof, of any
birds. the importation of which is pro-
hibited. the dead bodies or parts there
of. of any wild game animals, or game or
song birds transported into any state or
territory or remaining therein for use, con-
sale storage therein. shall
upon arrival in such state or territory be
subject to the operation and effect of the
laws of such state or territory enacted in
the exercise of it's police powers, to the
same extent and in the same manner as
though such animals and birds had been
produced in such state or territory. and
shall not be exempt therefrom by reason
OF being introduced therein in original
packages or otherwise The act does not
prevent the importation, transportation.
or sale of birds or bird Dlumage manufact-
ured from the feathers OF barnyard fowl.
Chief of Police Will Assist.
Mr.. Palmer has been assured of the earn
est support of Major Sylvester. superin-
tendent of the police department of this
city, in the effort to enforce the law, and
he has likewise been assured Of the CO.
operation of the officers who are charged
with the preservation of fish and game in
Arizona, California. Colorado, Connecticut,
Idaho, Illinois, Indiana. Iowa, Maine,
Maryland Massachusetts. Michigan, Min
nesota Missouri, Montana, New Hamp-
shire New Jersey. Oklahoma. New York.
North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island. Utah, Vermont, Washington.
West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, also
British Columbia. Manitoba, New Bruins
wick. Newfoundland. Nova Scotia. Ontario
and Quebec, and will have the aid OF the
following organizations:
American OrnitholOgists' Union, League
of American Sportsmen, National Game.
Bird and Fish Protective Association. Ma
tional Sportsmens Association North
American Fish and Game Protective As
sociation. Arkansas State Sportsmen's AS
sociation. California Game and Fish Pro-
tective Association, Connecticut Associa-
ton of Farmers and Sportsmen for the Fro
lection of Fish and Game Delaware Game
Protective Association. Game and Fish Pro-
tective Association. District of Columbia;
Illinois Fish and Game Protective Associa-
ton. Illinois State Sportsmen's Association,
Kentucky Field Trial Club, Kentucky Fish
and Game Club, Maryland State Game and
Fish Protective Association. Massachusetts
central committee for the protection OF fish
and game. Massachusetts Fish and Game
Protective Association. Rod and Gun Club
of Massachusetts. Michigan State Game
and Fish Protective League. Missouri State
Game and Fish Protective Association.
North Dakota State Sportsmens Associa-
ton, Oregon Fish and Game Association.
State Sportsmen's Associa-
ton. Western South Carolina Game Protec-
tion Associa ton Texas State Sportsmen's
Association. Utah State Fish and Game
Protective ASsOcia ton, Eastern Shore Game
Protective Association of Virginia, Virginia
Field Sports Association, Fish and Game
Protection Club. province Of Quebec. Also
of various organ1Za tionS in Maine, NebraS-
ka and Ohio likewise the Audubon societies
organized for the study and protection of
birds in California, Connecticut, Delaware,
District of Columbia. Florida, Illinois, In
diana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massa-
chusetts. Minnesota. New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York. Ohio. Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Texas West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Importance of Bird Protection.
Bird protection" said DR. Palmer. "in It's
broadest sense appeals to many persons and
diverse interests. and Its Importance is be-
coming more generally appreciated The
sportsman who values birds chiefly for the
pleasure derived as their pursuit for game,
the market hunter who hunts them solely
for profit, the farmer who regards them in
the light of their relation to agriculture and
the many persons of every class who de-
rive enjoyment from their presence are all
interested In the question of their preserva-
ton.
THE protection of birds Is national not
a local. question. 1t deals largely with mi
gratory species which breed in one section
winter in another and traverse several
states in passing to and from their breed
ing grounds"
In a report to Secretary Wilson, and Just
made public. DR.. Palmer in part said:
1.-The necessity of restricting the slaugh-
ter OF useful birds began to be recognized