The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-24
Birds MUST BEPROqECPED
Rigid Laws Necessary to Prevent
Their Early Extinction.
Proper Recognition Not Given to the
ynIue to All CInsse. Of Humanity
statutes Already in Existence for
Preventing Their wanton Destrnc-
tfon Methods Still Inadequate.


and aesthetic mind that the possible pass
ing of the bird from the face OF the earth
appeals as a calamity. To the practical
farmer and agriculturist such event would
mean the destruction Of crops by noxious
insects. the growth and accumulation of
vegetable waste. and the loss of nature s
own means for carrying the soil and its
productions over bare and barren portions
of the earth. Yet 1t is only by stringent
preventive measures being taken against
the Expectations OF the sportsnen, the
milliners' agents, and those who practice
cruelty for its own sake, that the bird can
be saved from becoming an extinct species,
perpetuated only in the descriptions of poet
and naturalist. It is true that there is a
strongly organized movement on foot in
the interests Of bird preservation, and it
is but a few weeks ago that a great tri-
umph was achieved by the Audubon So
ciety. of New York, in procuring legisla-
tive enactment in that State against the
slaughtering Of certain kinds of birds for
their plumage or otherwise. but, as DR.. T.
S. Palmer. of the Biological Survey, says:
The protection Of birds is a national. not
local question.
Bird protection in its broadest sense,
SAYS DR.. Palmer. in a recent bulletin Is
sued by the Agricultural Department
appeals to many persons and diverse in
terests. and its importance is becoming
more generally appreciated. The sports
man. who values birds chiefly for the
Measure derived from their pursuit as
games. the market hunter, who hunts them
solely for profit: the farmer, who regards
them in the light OF their relation TO agri-
culture and the many persons OF every
class who derive enjoyment from their
presence are all interested in the question
of their preservation. The sportsman mas
long realized the necessity for protective
measures. but the farmer has only recently
learned to appreciate the full value of birds
as iusec, destroyers More exact knowledge
of their food habits has resulted in high
er estimate of their utility on the farm,
and demonstrated more clearly than ever
the necessity Of active measures 10 ensure
their protection.
Bird destruction is going on rapidly in
the United States, and, in many regions.
there is q marked decrease in the album
dance Of certain species Cheap guns. lax
laws tie mania for collecting and shooting,
and more especially the enormous demand
for birds for market and for the millinery
trade, are responsible for this reduction n
bird life
In discussing the inadequacy OF State
laws to deal with the subject of bird pro-
lection in its broader sense, DR.. Pa mer
says:
Harmony of Action Necessary.
Such local legislation has to deal large
Is with migratory species which breed in
one section, winter in another, and ira
verse several States in passing TO and
from their breeding grounds. If the laws
On this subject are to accomplish their
purpose in a country like the United
States, which, exclusive of Alaska, extends
through q degrees of latitude and IS de-
grees of longitude. an extent equal to two
thirds of that Of the whole Continent of
Europe there must be greater harmony OF
action between the several States. Abso-
lutte uniformity in the protective laws of
fifty distinct Commonwealth may be i'm
possible of attainment, but 1t is highly
necessary and seems to be feasible to Sc
cure a much greater degree of uniformity
than at present exists. State laws may be
supplemented to some extent by Federal
legislation, and bill has just been pass
ed by Congress to regulate interstate COM
merce in game killed in violation of local
laws.
Similar and perhaps greater, difficult
ties exist abroad, but several countries Of
the Old World including England. France.
Germany. Austria Italy, Switzerland, Bel
GUM, and even Japan, have taken steps
to prevent the indiscriminate slaughter
of useful birds. 1t is interesting to OBJ
serve, in connection with these European
regulations, that the Importance of uni
forn1ity Of action between neighboring
countries is fully appreciated, as shown by
the convention entered into by France and
Switzerland in 1885.
Protective legislation was originally in
tended TO secure merely the preservation
of birds which were killed for food or
sport. but as time went on 1t was extended
gradually to other species. 1t is this later
phase of the subject. the protection of
birds not strictly game. which now en-
cages our attention, and the necessity of
securing adequate laws relating to this
phase of the subject will be acknowledged
by everyone who considers the usefulness
OF these beautiful creatures"
DE-. Palmer then gives brief but val
liable and interesting review OF the de-
veviopr7ent of protective laws in the
United States. He says in part:
The necessity of restricting the slaugh-
ter OF useful birds began to be recognized
in the last century, IL not before. In 1871
New York enacted law protecting the
heath hen from April / to October 3.
Some years later. in 1918. Massachusetts
passed law to prevent the wanton de-
struction at improper times Of birds which
are useful and profitable TO the citizens
either as articles of food or instruments
in the hands of Providence to destroy
many noxious insects, grubs. and cater
pillars. which are prejudicial or destruc-
tive to vegetation. fruits. and grain This
law prohibited the killing Of quail or par
+ tridges between March ] and September
], and OF woodcock. snipe, larks. or robins
from March to July 4. Larks and robins
were protected merely as game, and il
that birds not usually killed for food re-
ceived the protection which is now gen
orally accorded them.
In 1850 both Connecticut and New Jer-
sey passed special laws for the protection
of insectivorous birds. The New Jersey
law, approved March G, 1850. was entitled
An act to prevent the destruction of
small ard harmless birds and was the
first Of the kind in the United States.
Enncimenfs of Various States.
Similar acts were passed in 1851 by
Vermont in 1856 by Massachusetts,, and
shortly after by other States, until in 1864
they were in force in the District of Co
lumbia and twelve States. comprising all
of New England. New York. New Jersey.