The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1906-01-31

largest Of that noble family, mas De-
come eztinctrin this State. n s.
''The only parrot found In North
America, named the Carolina paro.
ouet becauss OF itS abundance in
Carolina, is now extinct within the
oordersof this State. ~,
''When some years ago the cry went
forth from New York for feathers Of
birds with which to supply the milli-
merry trade, the Carollnas became the
great field Of activity of the plume
| hunters. = 81
'Vessels we're fitted out with pro.
visions and ammunition for 8 long
cruise; and the hunters visiting the
great colonies of the breeding sea
birds on the coasts Of the Carolinas
and Georgia shot thsse beautiful
creatures literally by the million to
obtain their feathers, and the or.
phaned young By untold thosands left
to perish miserably on our sandy
beaches. 1t was in these States that
the plume hunters reaped their rich.
est harvest. For here in our congenlal
climate the birds had been won't to
gather in greatest numbers; and here
also the hunters knew that tine birds
were not prote by law and that
Eno wardens awaited to warn them
from our shores. So like the shadow
Of dream our vast focks of summer
gulls have passed away. This was
not all
Into the almost inaccessible swamps
Of our eastern country the plume
hunters went to find the breeding
colonies of heronsNa and to shoot the
old ones to procure the alrgates which
grow on the back In the mating sea-
son.
"The beaches of Port Royal and
the swsmps about Georgetown and
Charleston were filed with BLOOD,
torn feathers, and cries of widest
anguish. But the happy and content
ed people Of cur State knew little. OF
the great killing, and those who did
know apparently cared not; for 1t was
only birds that we're dying.
But God raised up for the birds q
saviour, q Moses, In the person OF MIR.
William butcher, who so stirred the
people Of the North that today there
Is no Northern State but what pro-
tects the wild birds.
1.-THE Audubon society, Of whi3h he
Is the father, has spread It's influence
to more or less extent In every State
In the union and far beyond the bord.
erS of our country. -, ..-..---- ......'.
I'm 1908 the legislature Of North
Carolina said that this slaughter must
stop, Florida did the same. Vir.
ginia, Georgia and Tennessee followed
In quick succession, while at the last
session of tho South Carolina legisla.
ture this honorable body enacted the
statute prepared by the Audubon so
ciety saying that beneficial wild non.
game birds shall no longer be killed
at any time.
But the Audubon society Is not
content with merely placing the law
upon tke statute book, and in South
Carolina the stc)nd and greatest step
Is yet to be taken; namely, proving
some adequate means for the enforce.
ment OF all bird and gams laws.
"a bill including the necessary pro.
visions has been carefully drawn, and
has already been presented to this
body. The bill has the approval of
the United States government ;ex'
perts on State game legislation, the
officers of the national Audubon 80
ciety, q number of the hunting clubs
and game associations of South Caro-.
lima and many of the leading jurists.
sportsmen. and bird lovers OF this
commonwealth.
1.-THE bill provides for incorporating
the Audubon Society Of South Caro-
lima and giving 1t powers to enforce
the bird and game laws Of the State
by means of game Wardens whom 1t
shall appoint and who Bhall receive
commissions from the governor.
1.-THE Audubon society iB to pay the
wardens for their services. No ap'
preparation Of funds is asked from the
legislature, but all non.residents COM
ing into the State to hunt will be re.
ouired to take out Q hunters lieonge
st G cost of e10. This money will be
placed at.the disposal of the Audubon
socieby to supplement- tho fees and
gifts Of its members and fFiendB. The
organization pledges .ssalf 20 be ac-
tive and to the publication end dis.
eribution of literature on the value
Of the birds to tho various interests OF
tho State, 20 disseminate widely
knowledge concerning the chsEaeseR
of the game laws, and In e7eH7 way
! TO exert an influence towards building
up Q strong healthy santimane In tho
State for bhs protection Of tho Wild
birds and preservation Of gane. ,.'
I'm this connection / may cay ahob
thiD plan 1s not an unhrted expert
ment. For example, just such . Law
was passed in North Carolina three
| years ago. Since that time the 80