The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-29

less some nullify- - &HIN&
ing legislation can u
be put through within the next SIX
months this bill will go into erect
July |. After that date II will be uh.
lawful for any firm In the state OF
New York TO have on sale any part
OF the skin, head, wing or any plum
age OF a gull. eagle, tern. vulture. al
batross or any plume bearing heron.
The passing OF the American water
fowl is subject that Is receiving
much attention. Many organizations
are uniting 10 secure protection TOT
these birds. Owing to the craze TOT
feathered millinery, the greed oil hunt
ers and several other causes, num-
Der OF varieties of American water
birds have become almost extinct
Others are decreasing so rapidly that
strict legislation and vigilance In It's
enforcement is necessary II they are
To be preserved for the beneht OF the
future Besides the demands OF the
milliners and sportsmen, the loss or
life 10 water birds from the effects or
navigation and various industries
must be considered Oil polluted
waters are poisonous TO bird life and
as they are driven back from their
native haunts they cannot but de-
crease in numbers unless some new
provision is made for them.
The most noteworthy example OF
the American water bird TO become
entirely extinct Is that OF the great
aux, formerly found along the coast
from Labrador TO northern New Jer-
sey. This bird was about the size OF
a goose and was conspicuous for It's
short wings. used as paddles for swim
ming, and for its close, rich plumage.
The last record Of these birds was on
an island off the coast OF Maine In
l847 when some fishermen slaught'
cred large flock. Now that they are
no longer In existence. naturalists are
realizing their value and single skin
Of an aux was recently sold at an
pathological sale in London for $500
There are only about 40 specimens In
existence, including those in museums
and private ownership.
The fact that other American birds
are likely to share the same late has
| aroused the interest OF the American
, public to the need or measures ior
( their protection. The tern and the
! laughing gull used TO be very mum
erous along the Atlantic coast. Now
they are SO reduced in numbers that
there is said to be only small spot
along the New Jersey coast where
they breed. Through the efforts o.
the New Jersey Audubon society. har
bors and breeding places for these
birds have been provided. The school
children OF the state have raised $500
, for the preservation OF Marsh island
as a home for them. The feathers OF
these birds have been greatly in de
mand for millinery purposes. The
J tern has been especially in favor since
the early eighties and hunters have
I been continually in its quest until
now its former haunts are almost en-
tirely depleted.
At one time the white egret heron
was the most prolific breeder along
the coast OF Florida. and the other
gulf states. II Is now difficult TO hnt
q group OF heron in Florida, outside
OF the Everglade swamp, and the
greed OF the hunter has extended eveI
here. To furnish the milliners wl,i
/ the white egretS SO much In demand
during the last few years, these beau
tiful birds have been slaughtered bl
the million The most grieyous SIDE
OF this great sacrifice is that the eyre
is at its most perfect stage just a
breeding time Therefore the killing
of the parent birds means the starya
ton Of the young.
The lust OF the hunter for game il
rapidly decreasing the humber or wllI
ducks. The modern improvements Al
hunting apparatus have rendered i
possible each year TO kill birds witt
! less difficulty. SO rapidly has this
decrease been recognized during the
mast ten years that it is stated upon
! good authority that IL allowed TO con
tinue unchecked. the American wild
duck will be known TO the future stu
dent of the next generation only
through the pages OF natural history
American wild ducks are divided into
TWO classes known as divers and non
divers. Divers have TO go TO the bot
| tom OF the water for food and are
more apt to come within the range OF
the hunter through the allurement OF
the decoy. Canvasbacks. red-heads.
blue bills and bay widgeons are
among the best known OF the diving
ducks, The non-divers include the
mallards. the black and gray ducks
and several others.
Last month 5000 wild ducks were
reported TO have been shipped from
Georgetown. South Carolina, In one
day While this was an unprecedent.
ed record never likely TO be dupiicat-
ed II is an evidence OF the rapidity
with which the American water fowl
Is being slaughtered. Recognizing
also the loss to the world In their ex.
tinction. ;he sportsmen themselves
are urging the passing OF hunting
1--we and their proper enforcement,
/ eqislation upon this subject is now
nending in almost every state in the
union
The national government also has
,o,,en nm the matter through several
danartments and Is endeavoring to
nrovide every possible protection TO
birds Bird harbors and breeding
places have been established by execu-
1.-Two orders. the first of those being
along the coast of Alaska and on some
islands near Hawaii. Within the past
vear. the United States revenue cut
ter "Thetis" was sent To the islands
near Hawaii for the purpose OF break
ing up reported depredations by fors
eign plumage hunterse These were