The sun., 1919-08-10
Migratory Birds Saved.
by Federal Protection
Selfish Interests Prevented States From Putting Con
servation Legislation Into Etfect-Wd Fowl
Now More Abundant Than in 25 Years
ny GEORGE A. LAWYER.

The myriads of migratory birds tina
fairly astounded the early explorer
OF this country before its virgin forest
had been destroyed. Its green field
trodden to dust by the feet Of tramp
ing millions. or its silences broken b,
the din of thousands of cities, have in
spired the writing of volumes of liter
ature.
These volumes have told of the wan
ton and thoughtless slaughter of tn,
birds. and have given warning Of thei,
certain disappearance with the settle
ment Of the country and the usurpatler
Of the forests, fields and streams thai
had furnished shelter. food and breeding
places for these feathered hosts.
Other volumes have set forth the steps
that should be taken to save the birds
from the ultimate extinction threatened
by the acts OF people ignorant OF theil
real economic value, and have told o,
the annual destruction OF millions OF
dollars worth of forests and crops BY
injurious insects formerly kept under
subsection by the birds.
Yet all the while the birds were nc,
tually being exterminated. in spite oi
such protection as could be afforded by
the laws OF the various States.
The food value and economic i'm
portance OF the migratory birds of the
United States. amounting to many mil
lions Of dollars annually, Justify the
widespread interest in their preserva.
ton. Not less important Is the esthetic
value of birds-the inspiration of stim-
uius which they give to the moral sense
and the charm and beauty which they
lend to the life OF all our people.
Researches by the Bureau OF Blolog-
ical Survey into the economic value OF
!nsectivorous birds have proved that
they insure the farmer against out
breaks OF insect pests, a most serious
menace to the agricultural wealth OF
the country. Valuable in other ways
are the game birds, which not only fur
nish delightful and pleasing recreation
to the great army of American sports
men, but add materially to the food
supply of millions Of people.
State Protection of Birds. :.
The measures necessary to insure ade-
quate proteetion for bird life have been
we'll known. but diversified and selfish
interests-haVe prevented the States from
putting these measures into effect. The
protection of birds during the mating
season and while on their way TO and
from their breeding grounds has been
OF prime importance. but until recent
years few States have given much at
tcntion to this important matter.
In fact, any protection by a closed
season on hunting is in a large number
of States comparatively recent, owing
to the generally accepted but errone-
GUS belief that migratory birds need no
protection and can be hunted when
ever present from the time they make
their first appearance in spring and
fall.
The growth of sentiment for the con-
servation Of 30 valuable a resource by
destruction through sprinG
shooting of game birds, and by enact
Ing other protective measures, has been
notable in the last half century.
The number of States afrording
no legal protection has come
TO be In inverse ratio to the numbe,
nll spring shooting. while
tetween these extremes are all grada-
tions. Including partial protection OF
all species and the permission of NOR.
or less spring shooting.
The various phases are readily COM
pared by decades In the accompanying
-ahuiation covering the 10 year periods
since 1870.
Half Century's Legislation.
State protection OF waterfowl at the
and OF lo-year periods from 1870 10
1910 and In 1919 and 1918, as reflected
oy various phases of legislation Of the
,ofty-eight States or Of legislation for
he territory now covered by them fol-
ows:
Phases of legislation.
Prohibiting all spring shooting. ng...........,,,.,.
Prohibiting all spring shooting but protecting
IeW species '''''....,,.,..............
'rohibiting spring shooting Of a few but pr
oh bpecies '.'s'.s..v,...............
Permitting spring shooting but protecting only
spSs.oe
Permitting spring shooting but pTotsoting q
~ .Peele. locally ...,,..v,:.,.,:,,,,,,,,,;:
rerailttpg spring shooting but protesting sil 1
Anardiss no legal protection whatever, .,..,,,..
The humber OF States making efforts
10 prohibit spring shooting huetuated
rom yeeF " year, and some States fre-
Iuenuy enanged eoiumnk Eprthermora.