The sun., 1919-08-10

the progress was slow and uncertain
ana the laws were not always well
| enforced.
In this progress our shore birds have
been among the most sadly neglected
Many of the smaller species have not
been protected In spring. It thus APP
| pears that while birds are adequately
protected by the laws of some States,
their migratory instincts and seasonal
movements are such that the open sea-
! sons under State laws added together
permit birds to be killed over parts of
their entire range during every month
Of the year.
Unreasonaply long open seasons for
wild fowl prevail In thirteen States
varying In length from five to seven and
one-halfN months. No species can long
withstand the drain of incessant shoot.
ing during such long open seasons and
the destruction of the breeding grounds
of the birds. the increased number of
hunters, modern firearms and improved
methods Of transportation to regions
hitherto remote have made practically
certain the utter determination of Our
migratory birds IL they receive only
such protection as the States alone are
able to afford.
FEDERAL Law Preserved birds.
States finally convinced State game
| commissioners sportsmen. conservation
lists and others that the uniform and
adequate preservation OF migratory birds
and an equalization of hunting oppor-
tunities depended upon the exercise OF
supervisory Jurisdiction on the part OF
the Federal Government.
To this end bill was introduced In
Congress In 1904, but II was so novel tn
it's objects and legal character that Il
failed Of passage. From the time of
its introduction, however. the subject
was kept before Congress In one form
or another almost continuously until
the enactment OF the migratory-bird law
of 1918.
This Federal statute merely conferred
on the United States Department OF
Agriculture the power to fix closed sea-
sons during which 1t would be unlawful
TO capture or kill migratory birds Tor
this reason. 1t proved very imperfect and
quite Incapable OF effective enforcement,
but 1t exerted a wonderful influence upon
the public mind. and It's passage laid
the first real foundation for the actual
preservation Of our migratory birda,
The regulations adopted under this act
enjoined spring shooting throughout tho
United States, and the extent OF their
observance 10 q splendid tribute 10 the
sportsmen Of the country. Fully IS
per cent Of the sportsmeD abided by
this mandate and refrained from hunt
inG during the closed season.
The result was almost instantaneous,
Wsterfowl and other migratory game
birds at once not only showed a marked
increase In numbers, but, owing TO the
cessation of Hnring shooting, remained
unmolestad IN ever-lnoreasinE PLUMBERS
to breed in places from which formerly
they had bssn driven every spring by |
lncessant shooting.
Birds Become Abundant,
At the end of the 5-year period during |
which this law was in operation, State |
game commissioners, leading sportsmen. |
and conservatiunlsts were practically |
Unanimous In their expression that wild |
fowl we're more abundant than at any |
time in the twenty-five years preceding |
and In attributing this increase to the |
abolition of spring shooting and the
general observance of the Federal stat
ute.
The very marked Improvement in con, |
d'tions under this Law instiiIsd n new
spirit into sportsmen and showed the |
wonderful possibilities under a FEDERAL
law broad and comprehensive enough !
not only TO protect the birds during the
mating and breeding season, but 10 |
equalizs hunting privileges and oppor-
tunttles by removing the inoongrulties |
stlll existing under State laws.
The conHtitutionality OF the law was
attacked In the courts, but before 1t was
Number Of States in the years,
be' BSO. 1880. 1900. 1910. 1912. 1918.