286 BIRDS IN THEIR RELATIONS TO MAN. 



propagation, uses, and preservation. The importation of for- 

 eign wild animals and birds without a special permit from the 

 Secretary of Agriculture is made unlawful. The introduction 

 of English sparrows and starlings is specially prohibited. This 

 act also prohibits interstate commerce in the dead bodies of 

 animals or birds, or parts thereof, when killed contrary to the 

 laws of the State or if the State prohibits their export. All 

 birds, or parts thereof, when brought into a State are subject 

 to the same laws that would apply in case the birds were pro- 

 duced in that State. This act is designed to supplement State 

 laws and to give a double check to transportation of game by 

 bringing to bear on each transaction the laws of the State. 



Besides the protection afforded by game laws, there is the 

 method of establishing preserves where birds are either given 

 complete immunity from slaughter or are carefully guarded 

 from excessive depletion. The associations of wealthy sports- 

 men that exist in various parts of the country, where they 

 control much land, look after their game very carefully, as 

 has already been stated. Such preserves are maintained at 

 so large an expense that they can never become numerous 

 enough to be of appreciable assistance in repopulating the 

 woods. But it is perfectly feasible for owners of adjoining 

 farms, if they are so minded, to combine their properties into 

 preserves that would accomplish everything. A tract of land 

 comprising ten or a dozen average farms, thus set apart by 

 mutual consent as a section where no birds should be killed, 

 would become a reservoir, the overflow from which would 

 afford excellent sport in the surrounding region. Birds would 

 not only become more abundant, but the danger of extermi- 

 nation would be out of the question. 



In Bird Lore, June, 1901, Mr. Willard G. Van Name, of New 

 Haven, Connecticut, gives an account of a preserve of this sort 

 that has proved all that was hoped for it. This preserve, 

 comprising between one and two square miles of farm- and 

 woodland, is in the vicinity of New Haven. It was organized 



