New-York tribune., 1900-08-26
.TPROHIBITED ANIMALS" "
SCOPE AND PURPOSES OF THE UNITED
STATES STATUTE WHICH HAS
JUST GONE INTO EFFECT.

A new and important law in regard to ami
mails has just gone into effect. 1t enlarges the
powers of the Department of Agriculture, seeks
to protect birds more thoroughly than before,
and guards against the Introduction into this
country of animals which might if allowed TO
increase. become a pest. The English sparrow
plague could have been avoided had this law
been formerly in operation. and perhaps. too
there would not be in the forests the
silence which speaks loudly of wantOn
cruelty and recklessness in the shooting of
birds
In the words of the act. the duties of the
Department of Agriculture are enlarged SO as
to include the preservation. distribution. intro
duction and restoration of game birds and other
wild birds. The object and purpose of this act
are to aid in the restoration of such birds in
those parts of the United States adapted thereto
where the same have become scarce or extinct
and also to regulate the introduction of Amer
lean or foreign birds in localities where they
have not heretofore existed" Further is
the important clause which makes it unlawful
for any to transport from one State to
another . the dead bodies of any wild
animal or bird killed in violation of local laws"
To any one who has followed the growth of the
bird industry in this country Importance
of the last clause is apparent Many birds
have been killed against the law of one State
and then have been quickly taken across the
border into another. where the shooting at that
season was not forbidden. That evasion of the
law is now provided against in a most salts
factory way.
The new law deals with the importation of all
kinds of animals rs well as birds. The word
animal is taken to include reptiles and
birds to include all warm -blooded animals
provided with wings, and therefore bats, ap-
parently. Every importer is required to apply
to the Secretary of Agriculture for a permit
to import animals of any kind whatever except
the dom sticated fowls pigeons etc. and cage
birds. such parrots and canaries. Speci-
mems for museums scientific collections are
also admitted without permits. provided the
purpose of their Importation is clear. The fact
that the animal may be entirely harmless or
that under circumstances could it thrive
in this country, does not affect the necessity
for securing a permit. Some animals are not
under any circumstances to be imported ex-
cept for museums. Those under the ban at
present are the mongoOse. the flying fox or
fruit bat. the English sparrow and the starting
These are absolutely prohibited" The mon
goose. to most Americans, is known chiefly
through Rudyard kipling and in his pages he
is esteemed as the dead'~ enemy of snakes
But ''Rikki- Tikki-Tavi' and his tribe are as
fond of chickens as Of the cobra and the python
and as this country has the former and not
the latter their Importation and possible in
crease would be highly undesirable. As for the
flying fox, he is a most unweIcon4e addition to
the fauna of any country. A foot and half
long on an average, but sometimes much
larger. he lives wholly fruit. AID his one re-
deeming feature seems to be that he is esteemed
good eating in the countries Of the East in which
he hourishes. Shipments OF these animals will
at once be returned OF destroyed. and under no
porter In regard to this matter OF prohibited