Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-14
CONSERVING BIRD LIFE.
COUNTRYWIDE INTEREST
Fcathcred Fraternity the Best Friend
OF Farmers as Well as
City Folk.
WHY BIRDS SHOULD BE HELPED
Nirgfnin Laws Are Ample IL Properly
Ehforccd-Peoplc Generally Help
ing, but There Are Exceptions.
Punishment for the Executions.

lhc Importance of conserving bird
Ute is gaining recognition throughout
we "hoie country III Il practical way.
Apart from the considerations which
nave actuatcd lovers of nature To Sc
cure protective legislation for bird life.
inc economic reasons for preventing
'he 'hdiScriIninatc slaughter Of birds
arc appealing 10 Il wider circle every
year. In some States all official bird
: DAY has been designated by tho Cover
nor when in all sections OF the state
audubon societies. the schools and bird
lovers generally arc urged to observe
INC occasion in manner that Will be
OF benefit 10 the birds. the farmers
great, trends.
GOOD WORK. THE CHEERFUL.
birds ARE ALWAYS DOING
Value Of bird life is becoming more
and more realized. and il is now a
matter of general knowledge that the
crops. the fruits and tn" flowers are
dependent upon the work done in tho
destruction Of insects by the birds Of
the air. II is coming TO I've understood
That of al the choice meats served on
Athtrican tables. probably the most cx-
p"nSiNc i bird. whether II be bought az
Z fancy price or given by Sportsna ~
friend. For every bird killed. thou
sands aLd even hundreds OF thousands
lof insects that would have furnished
bird food hid tho birds lived are left
TO dcstr - vegetation, thereby increas
Ing tho pric" of farm products by in
crcasinE the cost Of production and
llcssenins the supply. The powder and
shot thai TO kill any one OF great
number CT such birds as partridecs.
doves. killdeer. reed birds. larks and a
host OF others destroy many times the
market value Of the bird in truck and
staple crops.
Anothc: r spcct in which birds are
helpful to tie farmer is by the check
on weeds they maintain. II is "a we'll
established fact that dove. for in
stance. ma i,s his diet almost entirely
on harmful weed seeds and consumes
but AN incor: idcrable amount of grain
or vcgctab" seeds. Examinations by
Department Of Agriculture biologists
revealed in the stomach Of one dove 9.2o0
seeds Of seven varieties Of harmful
weeds, in another 800. and $500 in 4
fores, Of weeds
VIRGINIA HAS \ GOOD
LAW On THE SUBJECT
Ia this connection II may he well
enough 10 call attention once more to
the game Law OF VirC inia--the new
Law tina, was made perfect by tho last
LEGISLATURE. or as near perfect as the
sovcreicns could make it.
Tho law created the Commissioner OF
FISHERIES tnow John :. Parsons, of
Accomac County,. Commissioner OF
Game and Inland Fisheries.
He must maintain an Office ~ the
state Capitol and appoint at least one
game warden in each county and az
many more As he deems necessary to
enforce the game laws and sec that
All game and fish laws are enforced
Came wardenS arc paid - maximum
of $50 per month in counties contain
ing less than 10000 Inhabitants larger
l CT,i TO-. ~, 49,
cial wardens, 50 per day and expenses
Wardcns have power 10 arrest without
warrant and right Of search except in
private dwellings. All other officers
of law as sheriffs. coustuhles etc, ar.
made OK officio game wardcns. Game
wardens must lie chosen from ten men
10 be selected in each county by tho
County SUPERVISORS. Game ware cns
arc cX onicio forest ire wardcnS
ut NTEtS Must PAY
ANNUAL LICENSE TAN
From this time on every resident Of
ne State must pay an annual license
| OF 81 10 hunt in any county or SO to
hunt anywhere over the state. cxccr,
on his own or directly adjoining farms
u q nonresident. 40. and il not q .,iti.
zen OF the United States. 500. These
licenses can be obtained from the
county clerks or clerks OF the Cor.
poration Courts in tho cities Fine az
| - 10 800 for hunting without a license
written permission is necessary 10
hunt on any ones land except in IN,
case OF coon. for or deer thunderstorm
atty. - to SIS
Inc Game Commissioner has charge
OF the protection Of all wild animals
birds and inland fish. The cnforccmcn,
OF the dog laws. can propagate wild
came for restocking and can nut a
Close season on ANY species of wild
game for from two to five wears If he
deems il necessary
me returns from licenses and fines
hurst support Hi. department without
any expense TO this State