Bird Notes & News 



ISSUED QUARTERLY BY THE ROYAL SOCIETY 

 :: :: FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS :: :; 



Vol. VIII.] 



AUTUMN, 1918. 



[No. 3. 



Bird Protection in Canada. 



" The protection of insectivorous birds is at all times a necessary measure in crop production. 

 At the present time, when the production of food crops is not only a national but a world 

 necessity, the protection of such birds should be regarded as a measure of national defence." — 

 Conservation of Wild Life in Canada. — — — — ^— ^— — ^^— 



A REVIEW of the Conservation of Wild 

 Life in Canada in 1917, written by Dr. 

 Gordon Hewitt and published by the Com- 

 mission of Conservation.. Ottawa, states that 

 in spite of the pressing demands upon 

 Parliament made by the War, the year was 

 the most notable in the history of wild life 

 conservation in that country. Not only 

 were two most important Acts passed 

 (Migratory Birds Convention Act and North- 

 west Game Act), but an interdepartmental 

 Advisory Board on Wild Life Protection 

 has been created. With regard especially 

 to birds, this Board has taken steps to add 

 to the wild life reserves a sanctuary at Point 

 Pelee, the most southerly point of Canada, 

 and one of the concentration points in the 

 journeys north and south of migratory birds, 

 as well as an ideal area for the encourage- 

 ment of wild fowl. The Bona venture Island 

 cliffs, where thousands of sea-birds breed/ 

 and extensive areas in Alberta and S^- 

 katchewan, withheld from settlemeii^ as 

 not suitable for agriculture, are also oeing 

 recommended as bird-reserves. 



The Governments of Manitoba, Saskatche- 

 wan, and Alberta have established an abso- 

 lute close season for Prairie Chickens (pin- 

 nated Grouse andPrairie Sharp-tailedGrouso), 

 ownig to the extraordinary decrease in their 

 numbers, and the fact that almost complete 

 extermination has befallen those of the 

 western States. 



On the general question, Dr. Hewitt adds : 



" Throughout the country there has been a very 

 marked awakening of public interest in the protec- 



tion of our native birds, and the progress of the 

 movement has been very encouraging. . . . 



" I would strongly reconunend local organisa- 

 tions and public bodies to adopt and carry out the 

 following scheme as a first step. The absolute 

 protection of birds in public parks and cemeteries 

 in cities, towns and villages should be ensured by 

 the co-operation of the local civic authorities. 

 Bird-house competitions should be organised. The 

 assistance of the local horticultural societies should 

 be enlisted in the work of planting suitable fruit- 

 bearing and other shrubs and trees attractive to 

 birds, in the local sanctuaries. Prominent citizens 

 should be e.icouraged to present bird foiuitains and 

 baths. Ip^ach year, preferably in the spring, a 

 local WiTfX Day should be instituted. On that day 

 the scl/jols wotild devote special attention to the 

 subject of birds and bird-protection, and means 

 coul^be taken to enlist the interest of the general 

 pul/iic. 



/" By these and other means every section of 

 /che community should be called upon to take a 

 persona] interest in the protection and encourage- 

 ment of birds in their district, and the work would 

 express the commimity spirit. I cannot conceive 

 of any practical measure that would have a greater 

 effect in stimulating public interest in this subject, 

 and the value of such work throughout Caneula 

 would be inestimable. . . . 



"... Sufficient has, I hope, been said on previous 

 occasions to emphasise the important part that 

 these birds play in protecting our crops from 

 destruction by their inniunerable insect enemies. 

 Xever in the liistory of the world has the necessity 

 of protecting our food crops been more urgent : 

 never has the need of taking everj' means to protect 

 and encourage these allies of oiu^ had a greater 

 claim to our consideration. Expressed in terms 

 of wheat, the value of the field crops destroyed 

 annually in Canada by insect pests is sufficient to 

 feed our entire population for a year. We must, 

 therefore, protect our greatest natural allies in crop 

 production." 



