3o6 Bird -Lore 



so badly wounded tluit ihcy were enabled to tly but a short way, only to die. 

 The baiting of fields is but a relic of barbarism, and no surer method is conceiv- 

 able by which Doves can be speedily exterminated than the pernicious practice 

 of baiting fields. This custom has been sloi)ped in Alabama, and Doves have 

 rapidly increased. 



RejKjrts from every section of the state indicate the fact that squirrel and deer 

 are rapidly multiph ing. In many places where deer have not been seen for years 

 they are now fairly abundant, and squirrels are found in practically every wood- 

 land. The provision of the law making it a violation to offer game for sale has 

 served the excellent purpose of disbanding the great army of murderous pot 

 hunters that formerly combed the state, eager to slaughter every species of wild 

 life that could be sighted. Formerly, the fronts of our market were strung with 

 game, Ijirds and animals, which stood out as a nauseating sight to those who 

 knew the practices resorted to in bringing so much game to bag. N(j game or 

 birds is now being sold in Alabama, except here and there in isolated cases. 



Formerly, thousands of Quails were trapped and shipped to foreign markets. 

 Those who engaged in this practice had emissaries in practically every section 

 of the state, who would capture the birds and ship them to headcjuarters, from 

 whence they were expressed out of the slate. Many packages of dead game 

 were likewise expressed from Alabama, all of which has been stopped. 



Wild Turkey and Wood Duck, two of our most valuable game birds, that 

 were formerly nearing the j)oint of extinction in Alabama, are now frequently 

 seen in large flecks in practically every section of the state. 



The Commissioner of the Department of Game and Fish prevailed upon the 

 State Superintendent of FMucation to set aside the 4th of May, the anniversary 

 of the birth of Audubon, as Bird Day in Alabama. At the request of Mr. Gunnels, 

 the State Game and Fish Commissioner prepares annually a Bird Day Book, 

 which consists of a suitable progiam of recitations and declamations. The 

 institution of Bird Day has been most valuable in inculcating into youthful 

 minds a higher appreciation of song birds, and of educating them to a tompre- 

 hensive idea of their economic value. 



As a reciprocal obligation which is due by us to those who reside in the North, 

 migatorv birds should be ])rotected by the Southern states. Were it not for the 

 fact that during the nesting and breeding season these birds are protected, it 

 would not be long before there would be no birds to migrate during the autumn 

 and winter seasons to this section. Birds know no state lines, and, in so far as 

 the [^reservation and protection of those that belong to the migrator)- family 

 is concerned, it is a national and not a state question. 



A few of our citizens have objected to the protection of Robins. These birds 

 nest to the North in orchards and in the immediate vicinity of the homes of citi- 

 zens; they arc much loved on at count of their friendliness to man, and because of 

 their sweet songs during the spring. Formerly, Robins were slaughtered by 

 millions in the South, and oftentimes were fed !•> hogs. The sensation of horror 



