Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-06-12

In q previous article pointed out
some Of the natural enemies of the
birds and reserved for consideration in
this article their worst enemy, man. 1t
is sadly significant fact that where
ever civilized man goes. there immedi-
ately follows the destruction of the
wild life Of that country. Some of this
comes as an unavoidable result Of the
clearing and settling of the country,
but most OF 1t is wanton and savage
slaughter.
The cutting of Of timber and drain
ing Of sWamps destroys the nesting
places and drives the species using
them out Of the country. Flowing up
Of prairie lands has resulted in the
disappearance of some forms OF bird
life from this state and the increase
of others Many individual birds are
killed by flying against buildings. tele-
graph wires, and lighthouses during
migration. Children have brought to
me this spring about q dozen birds
picked up about town that have been
killed in this way. Last spring there
were about the same number. THESE
probably represent but part Of those
killed in Marshalltown alone. This
does not seem many to most people,
but little consideration Will show
that II only half this number Is de-
stroyed in this manner in every city
and town in the United States, an
enormous toll is levied annually on our
bird life This destruction Of bird life
is in large measure unavoidable, and
one for which there has been no rem
edy suggested.
While these things have helped re-
duce the numbers of the birds, the
greatest agent for their destruction has
been the gun in the hands of persons
shooting for food, money. or sport. The
aw-abiding sportsman of today recog-
nizes this and wishes laws and measures
enforced which will protect the wild
life and secure the perpetuation OF all
song as we'll as game birds. Unfor-
tunately every man who carries a gun
and a license is not a sportsman, altho
he may call himself one. The new fed
eral migratory bird Jaw served to bring
this out very plainly. The regulations
under this law closed parts of the Mis-
souri, and Mississippi rivers for the
greater part Of the year. This was for
the purpose of providing resting
place for the ducks and other game
birds in their migratory flights in the
northern section. Many OF the gun
clubs along these rivers recognized
the necessity Of this provision and
pledged their support and approval OF
1t. There were. however. some excep-
one being the 500 Gun Club OF Sioux
City. This club has done eevrything
within it's power to prevent law en-
forcement. and has attacked those who
have been working for its enforcement.
The inference to be drawn from the
clubs attitude is plain, and unfortun-
ately this class OF ort-sighted. So
called sportsmen Is not confined to this
organization. That we have men IN
Marshalltown who belong to this class
is evident to anyone who walks along
the river during the hunting season.
Many a dead gull, coot, grebe, heron,
hawk, and others testify to the pres
ence OF the gunner who, In the alb
sence Of legitimate game, has tested
his aim on birds that were absolutely
useless to him. The real sportsman Is
not guilty of such acts, but confines
his attention solely to the game birds
he is hunting.
Another extremely potent factor in
the destruction of our wild life. and
particularly our song birds is the for
eigner These men. in the various
construction camps. particularly the
Italians, practically exterminate the bird
life in the country about their camp.
In their own country they shoot small
birds for food and sport. and see no
reason why in this country our robins,
meadoWlarks, and other song birds
should not supply them with meat.
There are three things necessary before
this can be checked. First, law alb
solutely prohibiting the issuing OF
hunting licenses to aliens; second, the
imposition of heavy fines or Jail SEN
fences in place of the customary IS or
$40 fine for violation of the game
laws Many Of this class pay an or
binary fine and then continue shoot
Ing the birds as before. Thirdly. and
most important every citizen should
report any violations of these laws
which come to his notice.
Another. and locally, perhaps. the
most important factor. is the small boy
with an air gun or rife. and the small
boy egg collector. What use and pur-
pose the rifle serves in a thickly set
tied country has never been explained
to the writer. Far from having any
value, the rifle in the hands of ire
sponsible men and boys have, in the
past made it distinctly dangerous on
Sundays and holidays. to be on the
river bottoms across from the bluffs.
The air gun belongs in the same use
less class. That this is an important
element will be evident to any person
who will spend Saturday afternoon
almost anywhere along the river near