464 PRACTICAL ZOOLOGY 



it was estimated that hardly less than 1,000,000,000, including 

 those dead and wounded but not secured, and the myriads of 

 squabs left dead in the nest, were ' sacrificed to Mammon ' 

 during a single year." 1 



Such wanton destruction as this rapidly leads to extermination. 

 Many species which have been exterminated over certain areas 

 where they were once abundant, are still present elsewhere. 

 For example, in Ohio the elk, bison, white-tailed deer, beaver, 

 and wild turkey have all been destroyed. Other species have 

 been persecuted to such an extent that only a few accidental 

 stragglers remain in remote localities; these species have been 

 practically exterminated. A few animals now exist in captivity, 

 but the species has been exterminated in its wild state. This is 

 true of the passenger pigeon and Carolina paroquet. Among 

 the birds that have become wholly extinct within the past 

 seventy years are the great auk, Labrador duck, and Eskimo 

 curlew. 



Protective Measures. - - The need of protection is obvious to 

 every one who studies the history of our wild life, and each should 

 do his best to protect the animals so far as he is able. This, 

 however, is not sufficient, and laws must be passed to prevent 

 the extermination of the birds and mammals that are still left 

 to us. The most important laws are the Lacey bird law, the 

 Bayne law, the McLean- Weeks law, and the plumage law. 



The Bayne law prohibits the sale of all American wild game in 

 New York State. The McLean-Weeks law, or federal migratory 

 bird law, which was passed by Congress in 1913, prohibits spring 

 shooting of migratory birds, provides a closed season for most of 

 our shore birds, and shortens the open season for water fowl. 

 The plumage law is part of the new (1913) tariff bill. It 

 stopped the importation of the feathers or skins of all wild birds 

 except the ostrich. The Lacey bird law, which was passed in 

 1900, deals with the introduction of game animals into this coun- 

 try and the interstate commerce in game. 



1 Knowlton, Birds of the World. 



