Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1913-08-29
FEDERAL PROTECTION OF MI
GRATORY BIRDS.

Reference has been made in these
notes several times during the past
three years relative to the need Of
federal law which would protect migra-
tory or interstate birds. 1t is Il matter
Of con-ratulation ON the part of all
who love birds from the practical or
aesthetic standpoint that such il meas
ure is soon to be Il law ana become OPP
erative Oct |. 1918 With a view to
correcting false reports that have been
put in circulation relative TO the terms
and requirements vi the new law the
American Game Protect IN association.
which was largely Responsible for the
passage of the law. has distributed cir
cular letters giving Il summary of its
requireue nts. These will be read with
interest an C.-ci:,d. cor they are
hence'orth | RI. 20 mt al stlte law
covering the s..lt su. ipc' For pu..
poses IF adniniS,i tiou the country j.
divided into TO zone Zone No. J.
which is cons. !ered TIL breeding zonc.
comprises those states wholly or in
part north of latitude 10 degrees and
the Ohio river. Zone No. >. which is
termed the wintering zone. includes all
states lying south Of the boundary
mentioned. The new law makes six
classifications of migratory birds, as
follows: (a) Anatidae or waterfowl. in
Guiding brant. wild ducks geese and
swan; (bl Gruidae or cranes. including
little brown, sandhilI and whooping
cranes; (c) Rallinae. or rails. includ-
ing coots. gallinules. sora and other
rails; Id Lumicolae. or shore BIRDS in
Guiding avocets, curlew. dOwitchers,
godwitS, knots. oyster catcherS. phala-
ropes, plover sandpipers. snipe, stills.
surf birds. turnstones. wilet wood
cock and yellow legs: (e, Coubidae. or
pigeons. including doves and wild pi-
geons; a. migratory insectivorous
Observation-Disclosures. cathirds chickadees.
cuckoos. hycatchers. grosbeaks, hum
ming birds, kinglets. martins. meadow
larks. nighthawks or bull bats. nut
matches. orioles. robins. Shrikes swal-
lows, swiftS. tanacers. titmice, war
bers. thruShe~. vircoS. waXwings,
whippoorwills. woodpeckers. wrens and
all other perching birds which feed en-
tirely or chiefly on insects.
Among the several wise provisions
of the new law attention may be call
ed to the following: Spring shooting
of the above named migratory birds is
absolutely prohibited; it is made I'M
lawful to shoot birds. game or other
wise, between sunset and sunrise even
during the open season: shooting of
migratory birds on the Mississippi riv-
er between New Orleans and Minneap-
oils. the Ohio river between its mouth
and Pittsburgh and the Missouri river
between its mouth and Bismark is pro
hibited except during November ana
December This is aimed to provide
safe passage for these birds duiin.
their migratory flights. All migratory
insectivorOus birds are protected
throughout the year with the Shi-e eX
ception of reedLirds or rice birds. on
which there is an open season duriu.
September ana October in Delaware.
Maryland, the District of Comm So.
Virginia and South Carolina " ~
the new regulations 20 into eGe.r t.r
federal government with its Wet ,ur,
ed reputation for law enforcement ~,.
become the guardian of our Interstate"
birds. HencefOrth there will hp ro
more ruthless Strengthening of rot.l~
and other highly priced birds dur.-
their winter SoiUurn in southern state,
nor in other sections of the country
Hearing will he had OH the lew reYu-
lations with a view to receiving SUI.
gestions as to changes but il j. safe
to assume that the proposed law.
which needs but the signature OF Pres
ident Wilson to become law. will be
come operative substantially in the
form as above outlined.