The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-24
AUDUBON SOCIETY
Review of Work of Last
Year Shows Progress.
Large Amount of Literature Distribu
ted, Number Of Wardens Increased,
and SixtY.six Prosecutions
Made; Shipping Stopped


The third annual report of tha Au-
dubon Society of North Carolina will
be distributed in a few days. The
report says that the general program
of operation has been Cd educational,
by attempting in a systematic man
ner to acquaiat the people of tile State
more fully with the importance OF pro-
tecting birds and preserving the game
from undue slaughter and the value
of good laws governing these subjects
when properly enforced, and (2) to
employ as strong force of wardens
as possible to enforce as wisely rs
might be. the State ard various county
bird and game laws.
The literature of all kinds distri-
buted in North Carolina by the Audu
bon Society the past year amounts 10
1861 different publications. aggre-
eating in all 2.393,42 pages of printed
information. This has been widely
scattered by the mails, and ik many
rural sections by a systematic house
toulouse canvas on the part of game
wardens.
Duties of Wardelss.
THE duty Of game warden is TO
travel over the territory assigned hlm
which usually varies from one to three
counties in extent, and to post the
game laws, distribute certain litera~
ture, and he requests magistrates to
acuuaint him with violations of the
game laws. When he receives this in
formation he investigates the case, and
if sufficient evidence exists he prose-
cuteS the offending parties. warden
is subject to call from the secretary
to go to any part OF the State where
he may be needed. Each warden
should become On amateur naturalist
They are usually chosen from that
class of persons who have been deputy
sheriffs, or held similar offices. His
remuneration is $3.50 per day when
his time is actually taken up in dis
charging his specific duties. In few
instances wardens receive salaries,
varying from $50 to $50 per month.
They receive their pay from the Au-
dubOn Society.
Last year the game warden force
numbered %. This year the society
has been able to employ the services
of As officers, a gain of 16. BY far
the greatest possible service which the
wardens have rendered is that their
very presence in their neighborhoods
prvents an immense number of vto-
lations of the law.
Sea Birds.
The sea birds which breed in sol
onies along the North Carolina coast
and are grouped under the general
term 'sea gulls,' include the following
species, named in order Of their rel
ative abundance: Royal tern, black
skimners, Wilson's tern, least tern.
and laughing gull The last named
variety is now represented b. only q
very few pairs.
Seven barren islands were used by
the birds in the summer of 1904 Tor
their breeding grounds. First men
were employed to guard them. ana as
result the birds We're unmolested.
with one exception. About 200
Young are believed to have been
reared, an increase of / 900 over last
years brood. The increase of sea
birds is very noticeable in Pamlico
Sound.
Illegal Shipping Of Game.
The shutting down upon shipping Of
game from the Westerns States to the
Eastern markets by the activity of the
game Wardens has had the effect OF
raising prices to such an extent that
inducements are being
held out to Carolina and virginia
to smuggle game out OF
these States. The Audubon Society
has been contending most earnestly
with this evil. During the past winter
many wardens have been actively en-
gagged in seeking to put an end TO TINS
traffic and in many instances 1t IS
known that shippers have discontinued
this business because of the vigil of the
wardens. Much attention has been
given to shipments Of eggs, rabbits.
and butter for in the packages with
these products quail are often con-
eealed. Eighteen shipments of game
have been seized. and the contents sold
at public auction. The game contis-
Gated consisted of three woodcock, Ii
pheasants and 1921 udail.
There have been so many county
laws on the statute books. governing |
The close season when game cannot |
be taken or killed. that much conrus-
ion has arisen.
During the yea the total number of |
made was 66 but much |
larger number of arrests was made.
The total number of CONVICTIONS IS
more than twice the number secured
last year, and is one evidence OF the
greater efficiency of the Game war
dens. The fines in the cases amounted
to 10000. This money was paid into
the school fund, after the manner OF
all fines collected from offences OF
this degree of magnitude.
North Carolina is we'll suited, the
report states by nature as the nome
for many of the most valuable birds |
and game animals of eastern North
America, and by proper protection, |
large areas of this State can in time
be made vast game pre-
serves, which will be source OF |
great wealth to the State.
NORTH CAROLINIANS TO SPEAK.
Invited to Address Conference for Ed