Annual Report of the National Association of 

 Audubon Societies for 1920 



REPORT OF T. GILBERT PEARSON, SECRETARY 



INTRODUCTION 



One of the most significant occurrences in the field of bird-protection the 

 past year was the decision of the United States Supreme Court upholding the 

 constitutionality of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This was the final scene 

 in the drama which began in 1904 when George Shiras, 3d, introduced in 

 Congress the first bill intended to place under federal protection the fortunes 

 of North America's migratory birds. 



In order that history may be recorded correctly I want to recall to your 

 attention certain facts that may have been forgotten or possibly not ever 

 known to some of our members. The bird bill of Shiras contemplated the 

 protection of migratory game-birds only. The President of this Association 

 urged its author to change the wording so as to include all migratory birds. 

 This bill did not become a law, but its principles were embodied in the bird 

 bill introduced years later. This proposed measure was given a committee 

 hearing in the spring of 191 2. The records of that day will show that of all the 

 thirty or more organizations present and filing opinions, this Association alone 

 voiced dissatisfaction with the bill as it stood and urged that it be amended 

 to extend protection to all migratory birds. The suggestion was adopted, 

 and the bill as passed contained this provision. Having gained Congressional 

 sanction in this form, it was later embodied in the provision of the Migratory 

 Bird Treaty Act. The great importance of this feature of the Treaty was 

 distinctly and strongly commented upon by Justice Holmes who rendered the 

 Supreme Court decision on April 19, 1920. The fact that migratory non-game 

 birds are protected in Canada and the United States by the Treaty is a direct 

 result of the policies and activities of the National Association of Audubon 

 Societies, and this fact should never be forgotten. 



The past year has seen further efforts to open conventions with the republics 

 to the south of us with a view of securing protection for our birds that migrate 

 to those countries. The wisdom, or perhaps I had better say the urgency, for 

 such a course does not yet lie clearly before us, but the matter is under advise- 

 ment and the United States Government has sent a naturalist to South America 

 to study the situation with the object of arriving at a more intelligent under- 

 standing as to the benefits to be derived should such an arrangement be entered 

 into. 



Of late, vicious attacks on the National Parks have been made in Congress 

 by those who would grant favors to western land interests at the expense of 



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