The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-09-28


a few days there will take place in
Washington conference between The
official naturalists of two great COVE m
ments for the discussion of the best
way. to protect the birds that nitrate
from one country to another.
c. Gordon Hewitt, EntomologIst to
the Dominion of Canada, has written to
the Chief of the Biological Survey here,
asking for an appointment at which
time he may learn from our government
scientists how they have gone about
the enforcement of the federal migra-
tory bird law. For by a treaty re-
Gently concluded between the Secretary
of State and the British Ambassador.
the Dominion of Canada has agreed to
cooperate with the United States in the
preservation of migratory birds This
means that the great federal law, which
for the first time gave uniform and
Scientific protection to birds of nation,
is now to have its jurisdiction extended
over the whole of continent, and from
semi tropical to artic regions.
The significance of this treaty. is
scarcely realized except by government
officials and the societies OF naturalists
and sportsmen who have been working
for the preservation of American wild
life these many years. The naturalists
say that the federal law combined with
the treaty has saved the wild fowl of
North America, and insures that thew
will be abundant for generations to
come.
The saving Of our migratory wild
fowl means the saving of an asset which
is worth millions of dollars, in sport.
food, land in money brought to regions
where sporting is good. 1t also means
the saving Of sport for the people at
large, Lbecause the great American
rivers.which are highways of travel for
the wild fowl are about the only part of
our domain that can not ard will not be
fenced and. converted into game pre-
serves.
The licenses taken out show that
there will be over FIVE million sportsmen
to take the field this fall. This means
that about one man out of every five
who Is old enough to carry a gun seeks
the healthgiving exercise, the excite
ment, the adventure and the training Of
hand, eye and nerve which is found TO
be In the, hunting field. Beyond 3 doubt.
the love Of outdoor sport IS growing in
this country, and along the cleanest and
most Lsportman-like lines. The old
market3 hunter with his murderous
swivel gun has practically disappeared.
The light sixteen and twenty gauge
weapon, which require the greatest skill
and speed on the part Of the sportsmen.
are replacing the ten and twelve gauge
shotguns. Everywhere are seen evi.
! dences of d sentiment N favor Of game
protection and game propagation.
But where these five million hunters
are going to hunt is becoming more and
more question Everywhere farms are
posted against hunters, the farmers
either want the shooting themselves or
else they want to preserve the birds for
their value to the crops. Many of the
best hunting areas are being converted
into great preserves, after the English
fashion. The South Atlantic region.
/ fromlNorfolk to Jacksonville, is now
dotted with. these great shooting es-
/ tates, most Of them owned by clubs.
some by individuals. There is no free
upland shooting left except in the West.
where the mountains and desert have
halted the advance of civilization.
/ But the great rivers, of which there
are SO many in the United States. can
not be converted into hunting estates.
The navigsble waters of America re-
main free to anyone who can buy or
build a boat, and these waters with
proper restriction of shooting, are cap
able of supporting billions of wild fowl.
/ To save the great fleets of wild wings
1 that come down out Of the North in the
autumn. sending Jingle of excitement
/ through the bloodsof every hunter, is
to save the. one. sport that promises to
remain free for all in the future.