The evening times., 1913-03-25
KILLING OF SONG and NSECTWOROUS RIRDS
WILL SOON Be PROHIBITED BY WEEKS.MlEAN law
MEASURE WHICH GIVES FEDERAL PROTECTION MIGRATORY
BECOME LAW-ADoPTIoN REGULATIONS PRE-
scRIBING CLOSED SEASONS MANDATORY DEPARTMENT


Now that the weeks-McLean bill
giving federal protection to migratory
birds, which was characterized on the
floor of the house as ''the most radical
legislation ever proposed in this coun-
try" has become a law, the American
Game Protective and Propagation as
sociation. which engineered the pas
sage of the measure, is being swamped
with inquiries as to how and when 1t
will be put into effect. In answer to
these. the following statement has just
been issued:
IAN amendment to the Weeks-Mc-
Lean bill which was made just before
final passage makes mandatory the
adoption by the department Of agricul-
ture of suitable regula tions prescrib-
ing closed seasons. having due regard
for zones of temperature. breeding
habits. and times and lines of mi
gratory flight. The bill provides that
when these regulations are prepared
a period of three months shall be al
lowed before final adoption. in order
that they may be examined and con-
sidered. and that public hearings may
be granted il this is deemed advisa-
ble
Biological Survey In Charge.
ktt tIle pI llIIlt IL IL lIlpOsSlOle
to say how much time will he re-
quired to draw up these regulations.
The matter will be entrusted to the
biological survey. which Is bureau
of the department Of agriculture. and
while much Of the requisite data has
already been collected in connection
with the surveys other activities. 1t
will at least be necessary to compile
available information on migrations
l.,y, 1al lsa
tions of the country. and cor-ordinate
| it with the proposed regulations in
view. 1t may be found advisable to
make more exhaustive Investigations
of these problems to supplement those
which have been carried out for other
purposes. In any case. it will be Inn
possible for the new law to take ef-
feet in time to protect the birds during
the breeding season which is at hand,
it will unquestionably be in operation
before the migrations Of 1914.
''The regulations imposed will pro-
hibit absolutely the killing of those
song and insectivorous birds whose
value to agriculture greatly outweighs
their food value. Notable members
Of this class are robins. black birds,
and bobolinks. In a general way 1t is
safe to say that migratory game birds
| SUN Gle uuShS, SCeSc, oW duS ouN 6IAOl Z
birds, will be protected from the time
they mate in the spring until their
young are full grown. AS these birds
mate earlier in some parts of the Uni
ted States than in others. hard and
fast rules governing open and closed
seasons cannot be made for the whole
country. but zones will have to be Gre
ated and shooting seasons determined
in accordance with conditions in each
zone. Additional potection in GER
tain zones. or for the whole country,
will probably be given to some species
which are now threatened with ex-
tinction, until they have increased be-
yond the danger point. Likely can.
didates for this special consideration
are the woodcock, in many localities.
the woodduck. trumpeter swan
whooping and sandhill cranes, and
many varieties of shore birds.
Will Not Interfere With States.
IAN important provision in the bill
which should not be lost sight of says:
That nothing herein contained shall
be deemed to affect o: interfere with
the local laws OF the states and terri
tories for the protection of nonYni.
gratory game or other birds resident
and breeders within their borders, moi
to prevent the states and territories
from enacting laws and regulations tc
promote and render efficient the reg.
ulatiOns OF the department of agricul.
ture provided under this statute Al
most states already have laws which
will fulfill the requirements Of the fed
eral law, no new restrictions will be