The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-04-21

the belief that this is so. This bird
is harmless and yet very useful. 1t
feeds altogether on flies, gnats, mo-
squitoes and other insect pests. Reed
birds or rice birds, and as we some
times speak of them, blackbirds, in
cluding the large -blackbird, are
at ali times protected against destruc-
ton, except irf limited number of
rice-growing states where the rice
bird or blackbird harms crops. There
the farmer is permitted to prevent
destruction of crops by them. The
immunity of this bird under the law
ought to be relaxed here in Alabama,
for we often see, in the grain-sowing
season in the fall and in the early
spring, these birds feeding in our
fields on the grain-wheat, oats and
rye-which the farmer has not suffi-
ciently covered in planting, and in the
spring time feeding on this grain
when in the dough state. l commend
our United States district attorney
FOR having called the attention of the
authorities at Washington to this fact,
and hope proper relief may be afford
ed to our farmers against the depre-
dations committed by these visiting
birds. Every man who loves the sport
of shooting should send a request to
the United States Department of Ag-
J riculture and ask for bulletin 1888
which contains the game laws, state
and federal. It will cost only the
postage on his letter or card.
My love of birds in my excuse for
trespassing further on your time. You
will agree with me that it is a crime
tC kill a mocking bird. Here in South
Alabama they sing for US in all sea-
sons. You and l have heard them
even on moonlit night in December,
singing as if they would infuse some
of the JOY of their little hearts into
human souls. Who is it that begrudges
the few strawberries, raspberries or
cherries that they eat. They more
than pay for these small contributions
to their board with music and by the
destruction of insects.
l am glad that the sportsmen of
Alabama have long since outlawed
the trapshooting of live pigeons. Rev.
Luther L. Hill, the father of that dis
tinguished surgeon, DR.. L. L. Hill, and
Hon. William W. Hill, and the other
fine sons, delivered a sermon some
years ago at Showdown, in Montgom-
cry county, against the trapshooting
of pigeons. It broke up that cruel
sport in that county and in the state.
l wish every man and women in Ala
bama could read that sermon. I have
read and reread it with great pleasure
and profit.
Let me say another thing. Under
the administration of Mr.. Wallace, our
commissioner of conservation, pot
hunting has been broken up in Ala
bama, and we now have more bob
whites than ever before. However,
am sorry to say that we still have
with US some game hogs; that is
huntsmen so greedy that they kill
more birds than the law allows. These
"hogs" delight in exceeding the Legal
limit. They give no consideration te
leaving some birds in the fields and
coverts in order that birds may be
propagated the next year. Some use
the automatic repeating and the pump
guns. / wish it were unlawful in Ala
bama for any man to carry, own, o.
use such a gun. Two shots at GOV,
on the rise ought to be enough, ant
the second shot at any single bird Ii
more than enough. The sportsman al
ways plays a fair game. Give th'
birds a fair chance and we will hav,
more birds next year.
Under this migratory bird law an.
employee of the Department of Agri
, culture is authorized by law and b.
the secretary of agriculture to enforc
its provisions and las power to arres
: without a warrant any person com
mitting a violation of the act in hi
l presence or view and to take the of
fender before a trial officer or cour'
> Let me emphasize the fact that it j
the intention of Congress and tn
courts to have this law enforced.