Page:Condor15(5).djvu/22

 186 THE CONDOR V. XV postponed at least until the next general elec- tion, in November, 1914, when the people of California will be called upon to vote directly upon the issue. Meanwhile, through the enactment of the Federal migratory bird law, California is likely to secure in no small part what it was hoped to gain through state legislation. The details of the Federal regulations have been in the hands of a most competent committee, consisting of T. S. Palmer, A. K. Fisher and W. W. Cooke, of the United States Biological Survey. The regulations as finally announced in a Circular of the Survey will go into effect October 1, 1913. As regards California birds the following restrictions will now become operative. A five-year closed season on: Band-tailed Pigeon; all Cranes; Swans; all Rails; Cur- lew and all shorebirds except Black~bellied and Golden Plover, Wilson Snipe and both species of Yellowlegs. The open season on ducks and geese will extend from October 15 to January 16, thus cutting the shooting sea- son much shorter at the spring end, as com- pared with the provisions of the State law The open season for Black-bellied and Golden Plover, Wilson-Snipe and both Yellow-legs will be from October 15 to December 16. The Coot and Florida Gallinule will be subject to an open season from September 1 to Decem- bet 1. The latter two species thus become recognized as game birds. These federal regulations are of the ut- most importance as a step toward retarding the spectacular diminution of our game re- sources. But we must not rest here. Much wider accomplishment is necessary, especially in the line of public education, if the stock of game birds on the Pacific Coast is to be pre- served in the face of the present high rate of immigration and consequent enormously in- creased toll levied upon all of our natural resources. HERBERT BROWN, One of the few resident ornithologistg of Arizona, died at his home in Tucson, May 12, 1913. He was 65 years oltl at the time of his death, having been born in Winchester, Virginia, March 6, 1848. He was twice married and left a widow and one son. In 1883 he located in Tucson where he made his home throughout most of the re- mainder of his life. During the early years of his residence in Arizona he lived a more er less adventurous life, making long prog- Fig. 51. HERBERT BROWN, HOLDING -LF OWL; PHOTO TAKEN BY WILLIAM L. FINLEY AT TUCSON, ARIZONA, IN THE SPRING OF 1910