Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1903-05-12
PROTECT THE BIRDS.

The Times Recorder is IN receipt Of
a letter fromEMr. William Ducher,
chairman of the American Ornitholo-
gist Union in regard to the Importance
of the law in Georgia for the protec-
ton of birds.
This question is one of great inter
es5 to the people at large, especially to
the farmers of the south. The whole
sale destruction OF the beautiful little
winged messengers, ever bringing JOY
by their .mirthful songs and thrills,
should be stopped. Idle negroes and
worthless white boys are Strengthening
the feathered tribe to such an alarm
ing extent that unless the law arrests
This destruction by its strong right
arm, soon these little insect exterml-
majors will be no more. Then the far
mers will wake up to their great loss.
Certainly the observation from so
high a source as the United States
government and eminent ornitholo-
gists as well, are worthy of considera-
ton by the public in general.
An open letter to the citizens of
Georgia regarding bird protection:
At the present time there is a wide
spread and intelligent interest being
taken in the preservation of bird life
from an economic standpoint; this in
terest is the result of scientific re-
search, which proves beyond contra
diction that birds are necessary to
prevent the enormous increase of in
sect life, which, without the check
given by birds, would ruin the agri-
cultural industry of the country.
At the present time Georgia protects
only few of her birds, and those on
~ for a very limited period of the
year. The great majority of her birds
are not protected at all.
In October, 1902, bird protection
bill was introduced in the House OF
Representatives it was simple and
concise measure, and if it is made a
law will give absolute protection to
the valuable birds of Georgia. This
bill is known as House Bill No. 5.
Subsequently bill for the protection
of game birds was intr oduced, which
is known as house bill No. 10; this
was followed by substitute for bills
Nos. 5 and 10.
The substitute bill, so far as it re-
fers to the non-game birds, i. e. those
birds that are of value to the agricul-
turists and the fruit growers is prac-
tically worthless, inasmuch as it sim
ply reenacts the present imperfect law.
The Legislature should reconsider
and pass House Bill No 5 which is the
model law recommended by the
United States Department of Agr1cuI
ture, and which, prior to January I,
1903, had been adopted by eighteen
states, and since January has been
adopted by the following states, VIZ:
Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee
Texas, Minnesota, Colorado, Washing.
ton and Oregon, making twenty-siz
states in all that have adopted the
model law.
Georgia gives the least protection to
birds of any state in the Union, and as
her agricultural interests rank very
high, it seems only reasonable and
proper that she should protect by
law what is one of her most valuable
assets.
The citizens, especially those inter
ested in agriculture, should instist
that this important matter be taker
up by the present legislature.
Very respectfully and earnestly
urged, VIM. BUTCHER,
Chairman of Protection Committee
of the American rnithologists Union