The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-03-30
BIRD PROTECTION.

Now that the Weeks-McLean bill
giving federal protection TO migratory
birds. which was characterized on the
floor of the house as "the most radi-
cal legislation ever proposed in this
country" has become law, the Amer
lean Game Protective and Propaga-
ton Association, which engineered
the passage of the measure. is being
swamped with inquiries as to how and
when II will be put into effect In
answer to these, the following state
ment has Just been issued:
An amendment to the Weeks-Mc-
Lean bill which was made just before
final passage makes mandatory the
adoption by the department of agri-
culture of suitable regulations pre-
scribing closed seasons, having due
regard for zones OF temperature,
breeding habits, and times md lines
of migratory flight. The bill provides
that when these regulations are pre-
pared they shall be made public and
that period of three months shall be
allowed before final adoption, in order
tina. they may be examined and con-
1 sidered, and that public hearings may
be granted If this is deemed adyis-
able.
"At the present time 1t is impos-
sible to say how much time viii be
/ required to draw up these regulations.
\ The matter will be entrusted 10 the
I 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, t
viii al least be necessary to compile
7 available information on migrations
and breeding habits in different sec
tions OF the country, and coordinate
ii with the proposed regulations in
view. 1t may be found advisable 20
make more exhaustive investigations
Of these problems to supplement
those which have been carried out for
/ other purposes. in any case, it VIII
be impossible for the new Law to take
effect IN time TO protect the birds
/ during the breeding season which is
at hand, and unless unforeseen difficult
ties arise Il will unquestIonably be in
operation before the migrations OF
1914
THE regulations imposed VIII pro
bihit absolutely the killing of those
song and insectirorous birds whose
value 10 agriculture greatly outweighs
their food value Notable members
Of this class are robins, black birds.
and boboIinks. In general way 1t
fl safe TO say that migratory game
birds gnch as ducks, geese, swans and
4 shore birds, will be protected from
the time they mate in the spring I'M
I'll their young are full grown. Az
these birds mate earlier il. some parts
81 the United states than in others,
hard and fast rules governing open
and closed seasons cannot be MADE
for the Hhole country. bur zones VIII
have 10 be created and shooting sea-
sons determined in accordance with
I conditions in each zone. Additional
protection in certain zones, or for
| the whole country, will probably be
given 10 some species which are now
threatened with extinction, until they
: have Increased beyond the danger
/ point Likely candidates for this spe-
: cial consideration are the woodcock,
g IN many localities. the woodduck,
trumpeter swan, whooping and sand
Hill cranes, and many varieties OF
shore birds.
a An important provision in the bill
Y which should not be lost sight OF
s. says: That nothing herein contained
II shall be deemed TO affect or interfere
i with the local laws OF the states and
N territories for the protection of non.
10 migratory game or other birds resi-
10 dent and breeding within their Dor
sc ders, nor to prevent the states and
% territories from enacting laws and
nj regulations to promote and render Ell
AT hcient the regulations of the depart
in ment of agriculture provided unde,
a. this statute AS most states alread,
of have laws which will fulfill the re
re quirements of the federal law no ne
restrictions will be placed on tbe,,