Reports of Field Agents 273 



LEGISLATIVE WORK 



During the legislative season of 19 10, only two legislatures, those of Massa- 

 chusetts and Rhode Island, were in session in New England, but the enemies 

 of bird protection were rampant, and a great number of bills inimical to bird 

 and game protection were introduced into the Massachusetts Legislature, 

 some of which were pushed by their advocates with an energy and persist- 

 ency worthy of a better cause. On the whole, the fight in the Massachusetts 

 House and Senate was perhaps the most strenuous that the bird protectionists 

 of this state have had to encounter. They were put upon the defensive. 



Six bills were introduced, to provide a longer open season for wild-fowl, 

 or to change the law in some way advantageous to certain interests. 



The present law^ protects all wild fowl from January i, to September 15, 

 and prohibits their sale during the close season. The bills introduced either 

 removed all protection or lengthened the season or the period of sale. After 

 a long and bitter fight, they were all defeated. 



Several attempts to secure special privileges were defeated. The first 

 of these w-as House Bill, No. 324, the intent of which was to convey to a private 

 firm or corporation a state pond entitled Benson's Pond in the town of Middle- 

 boro. As this pond is a shallow and grassy spring-hole, where Ducks feed and 

 breed, the bill was strongly opposed on the ground that to give or sell it to 

 private parties would establish a precedent under which all ponds of that 

 character in the Commonwealth might be so taken. The bill was finally re- 

 drawn by the Committee on Harbors and Public lands, and now, as House Bill 

 No. 1 55 1, it refers the whole matter to the Harbor and Land Commissioners 

 for investigation. They will report their findings to the legislature in 191 1. 



No attempt was made this year to secure the right to shoot Ducks and 

 Gulls on the Metropolitan Park System, as the state authorities have placed 

 men in motor-boats on these ponds to drive the birds out, but a bill (House Bill 

 No. 652) was introduced to allow citizens of Massachusetts to hunt, subject 

 to the game laws, on lands under the control of the Metropolitan Water and 

 Sewerage Board. This bill, if enacted, would have opened up large tracts 

 of land to hunters, and would have given them an opportunity to shoot Ducks 

 on the shores of certain reservoirs. It was strongly opposed before the Com- 

 mittee on Metropolitan aflfairs, who reported against it, and the report was 

 accepted by the House and Senate. Under an act passed in 1909, all public 

 lands in Massachusetts were made perpetual sanctuaries or reservations for 

 birds and game. The defeat of House Bill No. 652 preserved the integrity of 

 this act. 



Some constructive legislation was enacted. A bill was passed to provide 

 for the preparing and printing of a special report on the game-birds, wild-fowl 

 and shore-birds of the Commonwealth, to be prepared by the State Orni- 

 thologist. Another extends the close season on Upland Plover until July, 



