The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-09-28
International Bird Protection
By FREDERIC J. HASKlN

The great importance of the Cana
dian treaty is that it has saved the
breeding grounds of these wild fowl.
Most of our wild ducks, and especially
the more valuable fresh water species.
such as mallard, teal, pintaiI and CAD
wall. breed naturally from the United
States northward into Canada. Aud
ubon's wonderful account of American
birds as he found them in his day, show
that wild ducks then bred many de-
grees farther South than they do now.
The most important factor IN driving
them farther North was spring shoot
ing. When the ducks began their north
ern flight in March and April. they met
with d hail of lead from the Gulf to the
Canadian line and beyond. They could
not stop on the lakes of the middle
west where they had bred for wears.
Each season they were driven farther
and farther North, until gradually the
Saskatchewan country, the lake strewn
barrens about Hudson Bay, the Mac
kenzie River country, and other far
wild places, have been their only re-
tuge. These great wilds of marsh and
lake are all that have saved them from
destruction long ago. The depleted
remnant that escaped the spring tusil-
lade each year raised broods in the tar
North, and returned to the slaughter in
the fall.
Now the federal migratory bird law
has cut off the deadly spring volley and
thereby has literally accomplished
wonders. The number of waterfowl in
the country has almost doubled. The
president Of the Nebraska Agricultural
College has written the Biological Sur
vey that not only ducks, but wild geese
the great gray hokers whose voices
you hear from the sky-are again breed
ing on the Nebraska prairies. He saws
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 and creek, and they are
reported from many other regions where
duck has not been seen in the sum
mer tor years. Furthermore, and most
important Of all, the people have been
converted to the law; they have seen
its value. A large organization which
raised 8 large sum Of money to have il
changed seems to have evaporated.
Many men who have opposed it have
written to the Biological Survey to say
that it is the wisest piece Of conserya-
ton legislation on the books.
But without the Canadian treaty. thi.
law would have been incomplete. The
wilds OF Canada and Alaska are bound
u remain the great breeding ground of
American wild fowl-the chief source
Of our game supply. II Canada had not
agreed With.us in this matter Of prgtec-
tlon. the ducks would have again been
at the mercy Of the hunters as soon as
they crossed the line. Sportsmen would
have gone from the United States to
Canada tor their spring shooting. and
with the growth Of population the ducks
and geese would have reached their
summer home IN smaller numbers every
year. BY the Canadian treaty. the way
is opened for them to travel unmolested
from the Gulf to the Artic Circle, inside
OF which the hardy sea ducks breed.
BY the treaty. Canada agrees upon
practically the same closed seasons for
ducks. geese, swans, brant, rail, cranes
and shore birds that the government
officers have. established in this coun-
try. She also agrees to the protection
at all times Of the migratory insectivor-
Gus birds and to continuous closed sea-
son on our curlew. swan, wild pigeon.
and other species threatened with ex-
termination.
The. only exceptions made by the
Canadian government are that Es-
kimos and other Indians may take
auks, auklets, guillemots, INJURIES, puff
fms and other seabirds and Their eggs
for food, but not for sale. These pro
visions are necessary because some of
the far northern tribes are absolutely
dependent upon colonies of sea birds
for a living