The New York herald., 1921-02-27
BY DONALD A. CRAIG.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Feb. 26-

washington ID. c., Feb 20.
1--WE million sportsmen In the United
E1 States and Canada and millions OF
= persons who are not fond of the gun
but take keen delight in the myrade Of md
gratory BIRDS that make their home on the
North American continent will be thrilled
by the news that migratory birds of prac-
ticaily every protected species are, beyond q.
doubt, rapidly increasing in numbers. III
there has been any reason to doubt this fact
during the last two years 1t is now removed.
More wild ducks geese and even woodcock
have been reported from widely separated
parts OF the United States this season than
in any year since the passage of the first
migratory bird protection law In 1918, or
long before.
For the first time in decades wild ducks
are stopping in their northward flight to
nest I'm their old haunts around Chesapeake
Bay and it's tributary rivers. In the Jersey
and Delaware marshes and the inland waters
Of the Mississippi Valley. Long ago ruthless
spring shooting from blinds and motor boats.
partly for sport and partly for market, either
exterminated or drove these birds away from
their oldtime breeding places. Now the
strong arm Of the United States Government
is stretched out to protect them, and under
a treaty with Canada they are protected
on the other side of our northern border
when they go that far to find a nesting
place, which Is the habit of many Of the
species of migratory birds.
Next fall it may be possible for sportsnen
to kill their legal bag OF horne grown" wild
duck in Virgin a, Maryland, Delaware, Penn
sylvania New Jersey perhaps in New York
and certainly in some Of the Mississippi
valley States. Isn't this enough to make the
sportsmen's blood tingle?
Spring Shooting and Sales
Being Stamped Out Rapidly
Spring shooting and the sale of game birds
are being stamped out, except in isolated
places, where the law is violated by the ig-
norant or the greedy. But these instances
are growing few and fewer All that is
needed is more United States game wardens
practically to stamp out the evil
Since the enactment of the migratory bird
law Of 1918, and particularly since the en-
which superseded it, on July 3, 1918. and
which carried into effect the provisions Of
the treaty with Canada, there has been a
noticeable ncrease-sometimes slight. II is
true. but sufficient to encourage the real
sportsman and the bird lover to renewed
efforts-in the numbers of many OF the
species of wild ducks and geese.
But the reports from that other famous
migratory game bird, the woodcock, were
far from satisfactory. Indeed. it seemed
that the woodcock, for some unknown
reason. were decreasing in spite of every
thing the. Federal Government and the
various States could do to protect them.
1t began to look as If the woodcock was
doomed to extinction like the passenger
pigeon, which once flew up and down the
North American continent in such enormous
locks as to darlSen the sun. and which is
now no more--not a single bird being left,
SO far as anybody has been able to learn.
This winter however, the United States
Biological Survey. which has charge of the
enforcement Of the migratory bird law, has
received reports that In the season OF 1920
"a more woodcock have been seen nearly
everywherc than for several years past
Tho corner has been turned. There is no
reason now why every species of protected
migratory Hird-game or otherwise should
not multiply steadily for many years to
come. The rate OF increase win be much
faster IL more money is made available for
enforcing the law and establishing bird
refugees. but plans are already on foot to
remedy this serious defect.
Here are three news bulletins hot from
the field, received by DIR. r.. w. Nelson, chief
of the Bureau of Biological Survey. and
they ought to make every true sportsman
and lover OF outdoor life set up cheer,
and they doubtless will:
In Minnesota a total OF 205Ss44 wild
ducks were killed according to the estimate
OF the State license authorities during the
regular legal hunting season of 1919 by per-
sons having State licenses and complying
with the law. This is am enormous increase
over any recent year. IL indicates that the
wild ducks are increasing by leaps and
bounds. The elimination of spring shooting
and the prohibition OF the sale OF game birds
mainly have turned the trick. Reports for
1920 have not yet come In. but they are
expected 10 show a much greater increase.
I'm Missouri FIVE species OF wild ducks
uested I'm 1920 for the first tme In "a great
many years. They were mallard, blue wing
teal. pintail. spoonbiii and wood duck.
Even i'm City of Washington
Effects of Law Are Seen