New Mexico state record., 1920-07-02

The state upon higher ground than that the treat.
deals with creatures that for the moment ar
within the stale borders. that 1t must be carried
out by officers of the United States within tn,
same territory and that but for the treaty tn,
state would be free to regulate this subject IL
self"
with the federal migratory bird law In opera
uoh ana Canada holding up her end-as she is
The birds have a chance. As soon Mexico Is
brought 10 tine and made to behave decently
the same kind of treaty will be arranged witt
her. Then the birds will be protected all along
the line of migration.
IL Is the opinion of most duck shooters that
The good effect of the federal migratory bird law
q Is already very much in evidence. The birds now
nest in many Of their old nesting places In the
United States, instead of going clear to norheri
'anada. Like all wild life they are quick Ia
sense their protection and to take advantage Of
II. In consequence the hunter. from his view
point is pleased with the working of the law
because 1t gives him more ducks to shoot in the
fall
The judgment of the hunter is confirmed by
that Of the biologist. The United States biological
survey is engaged in study of the conditions AT
the larger breeding places in various parts oi
the country. 1920 report "Waterfowl IN
Nebraska"-aE Illustrated bulletin of - pages
by Harry c. Oberholser-says on this point, in
part
"1n its natural sate-lat is unaffected by
braska is an ideal breeding place for waterfowl.
II is, indeed. of the very best of the remain
ing breeding grounds. The great number of
marshy lakes. with their abundant supply of food.
shelter and breeding places provide advantages
which II would be difficult to surpass.
ut is the universal testimony of residents and
of sportsmcu that the myriads of ducks which in
former times frequened the sand hill region,
particularly during spring and fall. have been
greatly reduced. This diminuion Is due In par.
to spring shooting, but also to a number of other
causes, including the slaughter of ducks In grea,
numbers both south and north of Nebraska The
migration flights here, however. are still large
and show that there remains good supply Of
waterfowl, which with proper protection and
sonabe regulation Of shooting will continue indef.
nitely to furnish excellent sport. The breeding
waterfowl of the sand hills also have suffered
from hunters particularly in spring. On many
of the lakes there are club houses owned by
sportsmen from cities outside of the county who
were long in the habit of shooting here regular.
ly In spring.
"Snce the enactment of the federal statute OF
1913 known the federal migratory bird law
there has been comparatively little spring shoot
ing In the sand hill region. for the law seems 10
have been very well observed.
IN all the localities that the writer visited he
made careful Inquiries regarding the effect that
the stopping OF spring shooting has had on th.
very gratifying to note that after the federal law
went into effect ducks began steadily to increase
In Nebraska. particularly In the lakes Of eastern
Cherry county. those about the headwaters OF
the North LOup river. and at the Cody Lakes.
As one resident exposed 1t. as Soon as the ducks
find out that they will not he disturbed in spring.
they come back 10 Increasingly large numbers"