Page:Bird-lore Vol 03.djvu/128

 Bird-Lore

A Bi-monthly Magazine Devoted to the Study and Protection of Birds

OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETIES

Edited by FRANK M. CHAPMAN

Published by THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

Vol. III

Published June 1, 1901

No. 3

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Price in the United States, Canada, and Mexico twenty cents a number, one dollar a year, postage paid.

Subscriptions may be sent to the Publishers, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, or 66 Fifth avenue, New York City.

Price in all countries in the International Postal Union, twenty-five cents a number, one dollar and a quarter a year, postage paid. Foreign agents, Macmillan and Company. Ltd., London.

COPYRIGHTED, 1901, BY FRANK M. CHAPMAN.

Bird-Lore's Motto:

A Bird in the Bush is Worth Two in the Hand.

It is often remarked, with equal truth and triteness, that laws are not self-acting; and, in many instances, the same statement might be applied to the makers of laws. Thus, the average legislator has little or no interest in securing the passage of laws designed to protect non-game birds. He is, however, as a rule, not opposed to such legislation, and when its desirability has been made known to him the facts in the case are so clear, the arguments so unanswerable, that he rarely fails to give a bird-protective measure his support—be it said to his credit.

The difficulty has been in bringing the matter to his attention in such a manner that he cannot but realize its importance. Circular letters and other forms of indirect appeal are not sufficient, but the experience of Mr. Dutcher and Dr. Palmer during the past winter proves conclusively that if the bird-protectionist properly pleads his cause before the legislative game committee he will win the day.

So these gentlemen, representing the American Ornithologists' Union and the Biological Survey of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, have journeyed from Maine to Florida to urge upon the legislators of various states the necessity of giving to their birds adequate legal protection. In some instances they found a sympathetic sentiment already established by local Audubon or Ornithological Societies, in others, their almost unaided efforts secured the reconsideration of a bill which had previously been rejected; and it speaks volumes for their energy, skill, and tact when we say that wherever they have gone good laws have been secured. In Florida, however, the legislature is still in session, but with every prospect of passing the law introduced and personally advocated by these tireless workers for the cause of bird protection.

In Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Delaware, District of Columbia, and Wyoming where we are glad to hear an Audubon Society has just been formed) good laws have been passed; and there is every reason to hope that Connecticut and Florida will be added to the list. California loses its place on this honor roll solely through the surprising act of its governor, who vetoed a bill which had passed both branches of the legislature.

Now let us make the legal protection, which has so happily been secured, actual protection by subscribing liberally to the Thayer fund. Mr. Dutcher's success with the small sum at his disposal last year tells in the most satisfactory manner possible how much may be accomplished at a comparatively low cost. The new laws which have been secured now greatly widen the held which may be profitably covered, and it is greatly to be hoped that funds may be at once forthcoming to hire wardens wherever they can be employed to advantage.

Already twenty-five wardens have been employed, but the number should be largely increased if bird-lovers would send their contributions to William Dutcher, 525 Manhattan Avenue, New York City.

The publication of reports of Audubon Societies has necessarily been postponed to give space to Mr. Van Name's important paper on practical bird protection. Every one living in the country can do something in the direction outlined by Mr. Van Name, even if his efforts be confined to his own garden.