394 Bird -Lore 



for the passage of a bill to stop the sale of native wild game. This bill was 

 passed, although its enemies tried to defeat it by every possible means. The 

 fight was so long and severe that it taxed all the resources of the Association; 

 but, in the end, it brought many friends to our assistance, among whom was 

 Dr. Wm. T. Hornaday of New York, who had led a similar battle in that state 

 in 191 1. Mr. Wm. P. Wharton, one of our own members, made this cause his 

 own and supported it in every legitimate way. The committee on the pro- 

 tection of birds appointed by the Massachusetts Grange Patrons of Husbandry 

 worked without ceasing for the bill. Practically all the fish- and game-pro- 

 tective associations of the state were with us. The strongest opposition came 

 from certain market interests and from the representatives of market-hunters, 

 particularly those from the South. The law, as now on the statute books, 

 goes into effect January i, 19 13, and an attempt to repeal it may be expected 

 at the next session of the Legislature. 



Late in the session, Governor Foss recommended an appropriation of 

 $50,000 for the protection and propagation of birds, believing that, on account 

 of the destructiveness of insect pests and the milHons of dollars that have 

 been expended to check them, an attempt should be made to foster and encour- 

 age insect-eating birds. The Governor's message was reported on favorably by 

 the Committee on Agriculture, but the bill was killed without a hearing by the 

 Committee on Ways and Means. 



A bill which was introduced to prohibit the use or sale of automatic or 

 pump-guns was forestalled and defeated by the passage of bills to limit the 

 number of birds and squirrels to be taken in a day by each hunter. It was 

 argued that the kind of a gun used was immaterial provided that only a few 

 birds could be killed legally in a day. A bill allowing cities or towns to petition 

 the Fish and Game Commission for the appointment of a game-warden was 

 passed. Many bills of minor importance were defeated, and, on the whole, 

 the season's work represents a distinct advance in protective legislation. 



In July, your agent, through the kindness of Mr. William P. Wharton, 

 was enabled to visit many of the protected bird colonies off the coast of Maine, 

 which were found to be in a flourishing condition. 



Encouraging reports have been received from the bird colonies on the Mas- 

 sachusetts coast. The Least Terns of Martha's Vineyard, which have been 

 near extinction, appear to have more than doubled their number within the 

 past two years. The Heath Hens, on the same island, which have been pro- 

 tected for several years by a warden appointed by the commissioners on fish- 

 eries and game, were very near extinction a few years ago, and last year they 

 were not making encouraging progress; but this year they have increased con- 

 siderably and may yet be re-introduced to their former range. 



During the summer your agent cooperated with the efforts being made by 

 the central office of the National Association to raise a fund for the further 

 protection of Egrets. 



