THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 415 



bounty laws. By 1817 most of the larger game mammals 

 and game birds were nearing extermination, and people 

 were beginning to shoot Robins, Larks, Snipe, and Wood- 

 cock, in place of larger birds. A law was then passed pro- 

 tecting these birds from March 1 to July 4, and Partridges 

 and Quail were protected from March 1 to September 1 ; 

 but tiiis law was nullified locally by town option, for any 

 town meeting could annually suspend its operation. 



The most strins^ent game leofislation of the middle nine- 

 teenth century period was a series of acts, not for the 

 protection of the birds, but for the benefit of people en- 

 gaged in netting Wild Pigeons. The penalties for disturb- 

 ingi: Piofeons about net beds were heavier than those for 

 merely killing game out of season. The}- even included a 

 term in jail. 



It would be ludicrous, were it not pathetic, that we with- 

 hold adequate statutory protection from game birds until 

 they are practically exterminated. Protective statutes come 

 too late. It is only within recent years, when the Passenger 

 Pigeon and Heath Hen have become nearly extinct, that 

 statutes protecting them at all times have been enacted and 

 retained on the statute books. We have only just succeeded 

 (1900) in getting enactments protecting the Wood Duck 

 and the Bartramian Sandpiper or Upland Plover at all sea- 

 sons. Unless stringent laws can be passed and enforced in 

 other States, as well as in Massachusetts, the extinction of 

 these birds is even now imminent. 



The game laws of Massachusetts for 1906 protect all "song 

 and insectivorous birds," Doves, Pigeons, Heath Hens, Pin- 

 nated Grouse, Pheasants, Bartramian Sandpiper or Upland 

 Plover, Herons, Bitterns, Wood Duck, and most Gulls and 

 Terns throughout the year. Other game birds and wild- 

 fowl are protected, but inadequately. Eventually the shoot- 

 ing season must be shortened. 



Measures and Legislation necessary for the Protection of Game and 



Birds. 



To provide against the extermination of game, there must 

 be established throughout the country a series of State res- 

 ervations, maintained as places of refuge for game, where 



