88 JOl-RNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



and secured shorter open seasons for this bird than for other Ducks. 

 Dr. Fisher's warning was naturally followed with results, but 

 these were less apparent than they would have been, since the 

 general anti-spring Duck laws were received with general favor by 

 well-meaning sportsmen during the same period. Vet the special 

 scarcity of Wood Duck has been so general and evident, that it 

 became apparent that still more restrictive measures should V^e taken 

 in its behalf. 



During the present year, .Mr. Win. Dutcher^' has collected a 

 large amount of new data, bearing U]>on the present status of the 

 bird "throughout tlie continent," and tlie result of his investigation 

 shows clearly that the alleged danger is a real one, demanding 

 special protection for the preser\ation of this lieautiful species. 



Two New ICngland states. New Hampshire and Massachusetts, 

 have enacted laws making a perpetual close time for the bird for a 

 term of years. Such an effort failed to pass the Maine legislature at 

 its session in 1907. Yet the situation in Maine is uinnistakable. 

 In 1897, Mr. Ora W. Knight" published the statement, of this species, 

 "It Ls now less common than of former years." 



In i*)<>5, in a very optimistic article on "Ducks in Maine." Mr. 

 Frank T. Noble,' who is an ardent and active sj^ortsman, said, "I 

 fear these birds are nearing extinction, as during the past two years 

 I have failed to observe a single specimen." 



Mr. Walter H. Rich, a sportsman whose experience has been 

 gained by personal efforts in the field, and whose generalizations are 

 facilitated by his standing with the "Brotherhood of Sportsmen," in 

 his recently published book on the game birds, says:' 



"They bred in numbers in the lake region of Maine, and were 

 surely second in point of numbers only to the Black Duck. 



I say 7Ctri\ for they have become greatly reduced in numbers within 

 the last few years. They have become so scarce that it seems that 

 shooting them should be prohibited for a term of years, if we would 

 prevent their total extinction. Let us act before it is too late, and 

 so prevent this irreparable loss." 



Vet certain sections of Maine still afford j^rimitive conditions 



