192 Bird -Lore 



that are on the lakes and streams, which can cover more space in an hour 

 than a boat propelled by oars could in a day; the natural enemies, such as 

 the Great Horned and the Barred Oivls that live in the same territory with 

 the Ducks; the turtles, snakes and large predatory fish that are known to 

 destroy the ducklings when they are first led to the water. With so many 

 artificial, as well as natural enemies to deplete, the numbers of Wood Ducks, 

 it is imperative that drastic action should be taken at once, to prevent the 

 total extermination of the species. 



There are several methods by which the rapid extinction 

 Remedy of the Wood Duck may be prevented, the first of which 



is to have Congress pass a law placing all migratory birds 

 under the control of the Department of Agriculture. Federal control of 

 such birds is undoubtedly constitutional. To secure such beneficial legisla- 

 tion is a ma^er of time and education; the public need to be shown the 

 necessity for such action, and the legislator must be shown that his constit- 

 uents demand that the birds that cannot secure uniform legislation for their 

 protection by state laws must get it through Congress. In the interim, the 

 second method may be employed, which is to secure in every state and 

 province where the Wood Duck is found, either as a resident or migrant, 

 legislation making a closed season for ten years. There should be a heavy 

 penalty for the slightest violation of the act, either by shooting, possession, 

 ofifering for sale, or the destruction of nests or eggs. Two states, Massa- 

 chusetts and New Hampshire, have already adopted such a statute, — but only 

 for five years from 1907. In addition to such a law, which is imperatively 

 necessary at this time, it is recommended that all the clubs of the country 

 which control large preserves, and individuals owning estates where suitable 

 breeding places are found, should engage in the experiment of raising Wood 

 Ducks, which at the end of the breeding season could be liberated. With 

 a ten years' close season and breeding by public-spirited citizens, this beau- 

 tiful species of American wild fowl may be prevented from following in the 

 steps of the Bison, the Passenger Pigeon and others of the wild fauna of 

 the continent that the present generation of nature-lovers are lamenting 

 the loss of. Shortly, it will be too late to take action. This is an appeal to 

 the ornithologists, who still have scientific facts to discover; to the true 

 sportsmen, who are willing to refrain from reducing a species of game-birds 

 to the verge of extinction, and to the nature-loving men and women of the 

 country, who desire the added beauty of all wild life, to join in the demand 

 that not another Wood Duck shall be killed for a period of ten years, to 

 enable a fast-disappearing species of wild fowl to recuperate its wasted and 

 depleted ranks. Do not read this paper and idly pass it by, but join in the 

 movement, actively and aggressively; nor cease your good work until it is 

 known that success has been achieved, and that the Wood Duck is no 

 longer in danger of being classed as an extinct species. 



