Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-10-27
INTERNATIONAL BIRD PROTECTION
SY FREDERIC :. HAsKIN

The great Importance of Canadian treaty is that
it has saved breeding grounds of these wild fowl
wild ducks and especially the more valu-
able fresh species such mallard, teal pntah
and gadwaI breed naturally from the middle United
States northward into Canada Audubon's wonderful
accounts of American birds ne found them in his
day. show that wild ducks then bred many degrees
farther than they do now. The most important
driving them farther north was spring shoot
ing When the ducks began their northern flight in
March April, they met with a hail Of lead from
the gulf to line and beyond. They could
not stop the lakes of the middle west where they
had bred years Each season they were driven
farther farther NORTH until gradually the Saskach
evan country the lake strewn baTrens about Hudson
bay the Mackenzie country and other far wild
places their only refuge. These great wlds
Of marsh and all that have saved them from
destruction long ago. The depleted remnant that
capped spring fusade year raised broods in the
north, and returned to the slaughter in the fall
Now the federal migratory bird law off the
deadly spring volley thereby has literally
plished wonders. The number Of waterfowl in the
country has almost doubled The president of the
Nebraska Agricultural college biolog-
cal survey that not only ducks but wild geese-the
great gray honkers whose voices you hear from the
sky-are again breeding the Nebraska. praires. He
says the old timers say it looks like old times.
Similar reports come from all parts Of the United
States In the Dakotas ducks are breeding in every
little prairie slough creek and they reported
from many other regions where duck has not been
in the for years. Furthermore, and most
important
they have its value. A large organization
which raised a of money to have 1t changed
seems have evaporated Many that opposed it
have written biological survey say that It is
the wisest piece of conservation Legislation the
books.
But without Canadian treaty. this would
have been incomplete The wilds and Alaska
bound to remain the great breeding ground OF
American wild fowl-the chief source OF sup
ply Canada had agreed with in this matter
protection, the ducks would again the
mercy of the hunters they the line
Sportsmen would have gone from the United States
Canada for their spring shooting, and with the
growth Of population the ducks and would
reached their summer home in smaller numbers every
year. BY Canadian treaty. the way opened for
circle, inside OF which of the hardy sea ducks
breed
BY the treaty Canada agrees upon practically the
closed seasons for ducks, geese, swans, brznt
rail, and shore birds that the Off
have established in this country. also agrees
the protection at all times of the migratory insectv-
birds and to continuous closed on curle
swan, wild pigeon and other species threatened with
determination.
The only exceptions made by the Canadian govern
that Esimos and other Indians may take aus
auSlets, guemots puffins other seabirds
their eggs for food, but not These pro-
visions because of far northern
tribes absolutely dependent upon colonies of sea-
birds for a living.