The Portland daily press., 1900-04-05
Would Be Means of In
PRODUCING New Species.
Names Game Laws Would Be
Strengthened BY 1t.
ESPECIAL TO THE rREss.1

Warrington, April 4s-Sougrtts mas Ior
som3 time teen interested in what Is
known as the "bird BILL" This bill
IL of considerable interest to the State of
Maine, both as an agricultural State and
as game State. For instance, the fol-
lowing section of the bill would break
up much poaching In Maine for the ben
eft Of the Boston markets
"That It shall be unlawful for any per-
| san OF rei sons to deliver to any com mon
oa -rier, or for any common carrier to
transport from one State or Territory to
another State or Territory, or from the
District Of &c lumbis or Alasks 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
| tho dead bodies or parts thereof OF any
wild animals or birds, where suoh anil
mnls or birds have teen killed In viola
tlon Of the laws of the State, Territory, or
District In which ths fame were killed:
Provided. That nothing herein shall
prevent the transportation Of any dead
birds or animals klllsd during the season
when the same may be lawfully cap
tured and the export of which Is not pro-
hibitsd by law In the Skate, Territory or
District Ia which the snme are killed."
The bill was before both House and
Senate last year, Senator Hear, of Msssa-
ohusetts chsmpioning IL in the Senate,
and Mr.. John u. Lacey, of Iowa. in the
House. There was developed much oppo-
sition at that time, anu the same has
been the oass this year when Mr.. Lacey
has tried to get tn ebill through the
House.
MIR. James 5. Sherman, of New York.
who favors the bill, made an interestin
report on the sur jsct from the Committee
on Interstate ana Foreign Commerce.
Hs explained trat the bill was intended
to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture
to provide fo- the introd uction and res
toTation OF game, song, and insectivoroua
wild birds In auoh parts Of the country as
he may deem 1t desirable to do SO. MI.
Sherman says: "In many Of the states
the native birds have been well-nigh sx-
terminated. Agriculture suffers pecu-
mary loss by their destruction, for they
are the farmers and planters best
friends In the destruction OF noxious in
scots. There Ia o sentiment involved in
the question that makes the preservation
and restoration Of tkess birds matter of
public concern. Attempts have frequent
ly been made by private individuals and
clubs to Introduce new varieties, or to re-
store again the old varieties Of fsathered
life, Taeir active and persistent fees have
usually destroyed such birds within
year or two after their oductioa.
''There have been some notable exoep-
tions to this rule. In Oregon the Chinese
nh has haN0nan MI M nj fhnn1h
1t has been introduced within the last
twenty years. Your committee believes
that the birds that may be the subjsct Of
experiment by the Department. Of Agrioul-
ture win receive more announcement
from tbs people than when private indi-
viduals undertake their Introduction or
restoration. The prairie chicken has
almost disappeared in many Of the
states of the Northwest. Should some Of
these birds be turned loose In North
Carolina aud Virginia through national
aid and public sentiment would protect
them and In time they might become
abundant there. At any rate the expert
ment Is worthy of u trial. The grouse OF
the northwestern Pacific coast would no
doubt readily adapt itself to the woods OF
Pennsylvania and the States Of the far
south.
Eat q moderate expense the Depart
ment of Agriculture could not only intro
duce new species but could restore species
that have become locally extinct, and at
the same time disseminate such informa-
ton US would create healthy public SEN
timert for their preservation"
The bill places 1t within the power of
the ScretSry of Agriculture to prevent
the unwise Introduction of foreign birds
and animals. Had this power existed
some years ago 1t would have spared the
presence OF the English sparrow, whoss
ippor tstion was the result OF the mistake
of some wel-msspiug people who had not
given the hittoRy and habits Of thess
birds proper study.
The most important purpose Of this bill
Is to supplement- thB state laws for the
protection of game aud bids. The vAri-
GUS states and territories have enacted
appropriate laws for this purpose. but the
laws are e7uded By the pot hunter and
deer. antelope, prairie chicken, grouse,
quail and all kinds of game are shipped
concealed In various methods to Other
states where they are sold in tha open
market. This bill Is intended to begin
where the state laws leave on. The Stat,
laws osn have no extra territorial force
and the patlonal laws can not operate in
singls state.
Nr. Lacey, with great patience. cue
oeeded In getting the bill up on Monday
afternoon for the second time this ses-
sior. 1t was lats In the day aud most of
the members had gone home. Those who
remained favored the bird bill TO large
extsnti but Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois. and