The sun., 1919-07-13
BIRDS AND ANIMALS
ON THE BLACK LIST
The Conservation Commission
Names Nine Foes to New
YOrk's Wild Life.
BOUNTY SYSTEM UNwIsE
Foxes, Weasels, Red Squirrels
and House Cats Most Con-
spicuous Offenders.
NJ CLINTON G. ABBOTT,

Nep York Conservation Com mission.
Many states offer bounties for EVIL
dence that predacious creatures have
been killed. Under present day condi-
lions In New York State. however, the
Institution OF a bounty system would be
OF little or no beneht.
The skins of the more destructive four
footed vermin already have a definite
market value, and with a prime fox
pelt worth from $40 to t25 ard even a
weasels slen bringing a dollar or. mora
the small bounty which the State could
pay would hardly prove an incentive to
more captures.
In the case OF birds there is always
danger under d bounty system that use
fui species will be sacrificed. All hawks
and owls are not harmful. but where
there Is a CHARGE for a bounty little dis
tinction Ia likely to be made.
In fact in any campaign against YER
min the chief problem is whether the
desirable characteristics of a certain
creature of questionable habits more
than outweigh the undesirable character
istics.
Good and had. characteristics.
For instance. the skunk. the mink and
the raccoon undoubtedly do great dam
age to game birds and poultry but the
State legislature has ruled that theft
value as fur bearers is more important
than their depredations as vermin. and
IT has therefore granted them protection
throughout the greater part OF the year
(except in the case OF skunks which are
actually injuring property.
on the other hand. foxes. both red and
gray, are so exceedingly destructive OF
will life that, in spite OF the value of
their fur. they are regarded as outlaws
the year round.
Similarly, among birds, the barred
owl may seize an occasional young part
ridge, although the bulk OF Its diet con-
| sists OF destructive rats ann mice. The
balance Is in his favor, and he Is there
| fore protected in New York State at all
times. But the great horned owl. whose
meals consist largely OF game and poul.
| try, may be shot at any season.
The species whose records are over
| whelmingly bad are Surprisingly few IN
other words. It is only n few kinds OF
marauders that are taking the present
large toll OF useful birds and animals
It is upon these few that a concentrated
fire should he directed by all sportsmen
farmers and trappers.
| In order to emphasize in the most vivid
manner possible just who comprise this
| undesirable company its chief members
have been assembled in the following
list, which Is designated the black list
Nine on the Black List.
Common crow Vessel
| Cooper's hawk Red squirrel
| GoshawE Red for
Sharp Skinned hawk Hunting house cat
| Great horned owl
OF quadrupeds. the most conspicuous
offenders are foxes, weasels. red SOUR.
rels and house cats. The depredations OF
foxes are tpo well known to require
much comment: the answers to the Con
servation Commissions rufted grouse
QUESTIONABLE would he sufficient condem
nation, II any were needed.
As a matter of fact, every sportsman
and every farmer knows only too vel
from his own experience that the fox |,
ohe of the most bloodthirsty marauderi
in all nature. In spite OF the fact that
they are widely hunted with hounds ant
beset with traps, and In spite of the pres
emit value of their pelts. foxes seem 10 bt
on the increase, and only by more siren
uous warfare upon them can these great
est enemies of our game birds be kept ir
check