204 



MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Fig. 20. — Red-winged Blackbird. Agelaius 



of the several cities and towns of this Commonwealth shall 

 cause the provisions of this law to be enforced in their respect- 

 ive places ; and all forfeitures accruing under these sections 



shall be paid two-thirds to the in- 

 formant or prosecutor and one- 

 third to the city or town where 

 the offence is committed. 



In itself, perhaps, no fault can 

 be found with this law. It is 

 only because it is not properly 

 executed that it falls short of 

 accomplishing its object. In the 

 neighborhood of the large cities 

 phaniceus. it doubtlcss prcvcuts some in- 



jury to birds, but in the small country towns we think it is 

 very rarely that an arrest is made, and the selectmen are quite 

 apt to look the other way to save the trouble of interfering 

 with a neighbor or townsman. We have repeatedly seen 



strings of ruffed grouse, contain- 

 ing some dozens, which had been 

 taken in abominable snares, being 

 sent in to the Boston market from 

 the small towns of Massachusetts. 

 We believe it is still a common 

 practice with many boys to make 

 collections of birds'-eggs, and to 

 take not one egg only, but the 

 whole nest, eggs and all, and shoot 

 the parent birds, too, if possible. 

 It is difficult to say how such things 

 may best be prevented, but much 

 good would be done, we are confi- 



Fig. 21.-Raven. Corms carnivorous, dcut, if the SclectmeU WOUld take 



the trouble to hunt up and punish a few cases which should 

 serve as an example to others. Parents and teachers also may 

 do much by way of precept and example, and right-minded 

 boys may do their part by influencing their companions to 

 abandon so cruel a practice. 



Next to the law the most important measure for the protec- 

 tion of birds is the putting up of accommodations for them and 



