The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-10-03
from Tho Journal Bureau, Room As, Post Build
ing, Washington.

from Tho Journal Bureau, Room 4b, Post Build
ing, Washington.
!. Washington Oct. 1.-Never before has
the outlook for the protection OF bird and
game life in this country been brighter
than now. This years state legislatures
deserve special mention In the annual al
MANAGES Of 1904 for what they have done in
lettering the old laws and In passing new
ones. These enactments have been sum-
married. In pamphlet soon to be Issued
by the biological survey of the department
Of agriculture. But public opinion more
potent than law, and acting thru volun-
tary associations Of mtlliners, has recent
ly secured agreements which will have an
effect on the winter hats in all the CEN
ters Of fashion. The tendencies Of the
times. which have long been running
against our native birds, seem at least to
have been turned in the other direction.
An excellent start has been made. The
Audubon Societies and the American
Ornithologists' Union have occasion for
congratulation.
Some New Legislation.
One of the most notable developments
has been the passage by New York Of a
law bringing to an end the season for
killing fowl on Jan. /. The custom has
always been to allow shooting till May /,
and on Long Island which Is one of the
great ducking resorts Of the Atlantic
coast, sportsmen were able to kill birds
by the thousand, going northward on their
spring migration. This shooting was
doubly destructive because Of its ef-
feet upon the future supply. New York
by this law has put itself in line
with the more progressive states and sew
eral OF the provinces Of Canada. The law
applies to all waterfowl, except brant.
which were excluded because none 20 to
Long Island In the fall, and the only time
New Workers could kill them at all Ia in
the spring.
A law OF this kind is OF more than local
interest. 1t gives the birds a chance to
increase in their breeding ground and If
enforced in the adjoining states Will re-
suit In saving ducks for the markets Of a
VIDE area. There are certain crucial
points where destruction becomes far
reaching In It's effect. New York hap
pened to control one Of these: MARYLAND
controls another on the Chesapeake bav:
North Carolina and Texas have important
responsibilities, too Protection of the
Dlrds OF any of these points saves them
1or an entire tier of states to the north.
New York's protection will be especially
valuable to the middle states and the
ne1ghboring regions Of New England.
Texas has this year stopped the shin
ment OF wild fowls out of her borders
IN order that the state may not be dratne Id
1or the benefit of outside markets. All
the states, except Mississippi and Ken
lucky, now have such a law since Mon
lana and Virginia have come into line
Inc move was specially important In
Texas, because 1t is great waterfowl
center New York has also passed a law
In line with the statute of Massachusetts
which cuts off the sale of woodcock and
grouse for term Of years. Every New
England state, except Rhode Island. has
such a provision. A hunter can kill and
eat these birds at the proper season him
self, or give them to his friends, but he
cannot expose them to sale. Unfortunate