Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-03
RErTER BIRD LAWS.

Commensurate efforts for the better pro-
lection of birds are being made through
local and general organizations In all
parts OF the United States. The press has
been aroused 10 an active interest in this
humane and eminently practical reform
movement and there is a fine prospect
that II win be advanced very materially In
the near future.
Georgia is one of the states that gives
very slight protection to any birds except
those which are included for brief sea-
son every year under the game laws.
The song birds, birds Of plumage and
Insect-devouring birds OF this state are
left practically at the mercy OF those who
my choose to trap or slaughter them.
The barbarous and disgusting habit OF
batting fields for doves and saying by
the thousand the birds tltat flock thither
his been carried so far that doves, once
so abundant in this state. have become
scarce and viii soon be exterminated un
less something Is done for their protec-
ton.
The Georgia mockingbird. the most glo-
rious Of all feathered songsters is treated
in this state as IL he were worthless and
the must 0edAAAAAA VI Jul bAAA1 Va RANAAA-
age are fast becoming painfully scarce.
The immense value OF birds that devour
insects IS appreciated by very few Of our
people and we do nothing 10 save them
from ruthless destruction.
Many valuable crops. the fruit and truck
industry OF this state. receive from these
birds a protection that makes them worth
a vast amount to Georgia every year and
they would become much more valuable
IL we had laws TO prevent their slaughter.
A bill for this purpose and for the better
care of beautiful and useful birds gener-
ally was introduced I'm the house during
the last session Of the Georgia legislature
and was favorably reported upon by the
general agricultural committee, but as it
was quite late in the session there was not
time in which to pass it.
This bill, or better one, should be pass
ed at the present session without fail
The wings and bodies of birds make by
no means as beautiful ornaments for wo-
mems hats and bonnets as flowers and yet
the sacrifice of birds for the sake Of a
fashion which all women should condemn
continues with little. If any decrease OF its
recklessness and cruelty. This unworthy
industry has been repressed so effectually
in some other parts of the United States
that II is preying the more severely than
ever upon the south, where there are few
restrictions of it,
The Richmond Dispatch in the course Of
a protest against this evil says:
Sixteen thousand marsh hens and jack
DAVIS alone were killed last summer in
Currltuck county. North Carolina, to sup
ply the demand for feathered ornaments
on women's hats. IS not encouraging TO
those who would prevent the wholesale
slaughter OF birds. But the evil work did
not stop here We are even told that the
very buzzards are sacrificed so that
their wing feathers might be used to en-
beilish feminine headgear. That IL is time
to call halt on this business there is no
denying, but the reform-if successful
can come from but one source-the women
themselves"
Il is a very serious indictment Of the sex
which we consider more merciful than tho
other one TO charge that women are main
ly responsible for the slaughter Of birds
Of plumage in this country, but there Is,
we regret to say. ample proof to sustain
It, When fashion requires such sacrifices
for its qualification as this folly OF bird
ornanientation does II is time for the law
20 step in and enforce a reform which
kindness and good taste should be able to
accomplish.