New-York tribune., 1901-02-14
1T LOOKED LIKE QUAIL.
SPORTSMEN LISTENED To SPEECH ON
BIRD PRESERVATION AND HAD
TO BE REASSURED BEFORE
THEY ATE

Sportsnen 70 the number OF about hundred
feasted together the Aldne Club. No. III Fifth
ave. last evening 1t was the annual dinner OF the
League of American Sportsmen. and the end OF
the annual meeting of the league There are thirty
five State associations in the league. and twenty
Of them representa- by delegates at the annual
meeting. The visiting delegates were the guests.
G. o. Shields the president OF the league. pre-
sided at the dinner. and introduced the first
speaker OF the evening Congressman John F. Lacey.
the author OF the Lacey law. which is regarded by
sportsmen as the best legislation ever enacted for
the protection Of game. Mr.. Lacey spoke OF the
need for the conservation OF game in all part. ot
the United States and for the conservation OF other
natural resources OF the country. He said in part:
We have seen Gods creatures disappearing so
rapidly before the tremendous power OF modern in
vention that the whole world has paused 10 con-
of animal life A birdless world would not be
# place 70 live in and birdiess air would not be
streams. oils and gases. minerals and soils. birds
and are ar Rapidly 1sS Our o or es
reserve system has come in time TO save 4S,oSOoo
It is by no means creditable that animal
life abounds most in the inaccessible regions or the
alton OF a favorable public sentiment will do much
TO save what is left of the game and birds OF the
sufficient prevent their extinction. but they too
are becoming scare In tns audsons Say ib soa
of ancient Athens With proper care this food
dustry hurrying its extinction. and needs pro-
lection against itself Birds not so prolific as
fishes, but their restoration is far easier task
than the restoration OF mammals.
A bird looking very much like quail served
Just DR.. T. s. Palmer. Assistant Chief or the
Biological Survey at Washington. began to speak.
He chanced to look at his plate. and then he looked
at DR.. W. T Hornaday. Of the Geological Garden.
and both looked at their plates. Others examined
their plates and DR.. Palmer turned his bird over
with his fork. saying:
I'd rather the plumase. but we may be sure
II is one OF the pover family. There Is no viola
ton Of the law. and We may eat with clear con-
sciences.
DR.. Palmer spoke on the enforcement OF the game
laws He was followed oy A. F. Rice. the secre-
tary OF the league. who spoke Of the status OF the
league. Speeches were also made by some OF the
visiting delegates
The league began It's annual convention yesterday
in the Hotel Marlborough There were present
forty-nve delegates. The morning was devoted to
committee work.
President Shields read his annual report right
after the session was opened at noon. II showed
great Increase Of membership. At the convention
last year there was a membership represented OF
e327 while the delegates this year report mem
bership Of 5160 gain of more than 100 PEI
cent From nineteen State divisions OF year ago
there are now thrty-hve State divisions. and ten
In the Territories and s of It veer have BEEN
increased 122 and while the league had secured
las, wear it had since then convicted twenty-nins
persons of game law violations
The trustees reported the following officers elected
for the present year President, George o. Shields.
of New York vice presidents, Ernest Seton-I Ihomp-
son. OF Philadelphia iLlaI l. fiorhaay, ol
York: ]. Hart Merriam. or WaShlnston A a
Anderson. of Boston. and ex-Governor W. A. Rich
ards OF Nyomlns' I'esS iR . f Sassaic i
DR. Palmer. of the Agricultural Department.
needed advocating the need of more uniform laws
I'm the many States and Territories