12 



A PROTEST FROM THE BAT STATE. 



This wanton and senseless destruction of bird-life is 

 not by any means restricted to reunsylvaniu. In 

 Massachusetts, where about three-quarters of a million 

 of dollars has been expended during the past four 

 or five years to repress a single insect foe — the Gipsy 

 Moth — hat-bird hunters, professional snarers, or "pot- 

 hunters," and the ubiquitious small boy with an old 

 musket, are playing havoc with the feathered popula- 

 tion, many of which, if unmolested, and allowed to 

 follow their natural inclinations would undoubtedly be 

 a potent factor to aid in keeping in check the voracious 

 Gypsy Moth. Regarding the agencies which are rapid- 

 ly bringing about the extermination of the feathered 

 tribes in the Bay State, I take the following paragraphs 

 from the annual report of the Massachusetts Game 

 Commission, for 1896: 



"Reports from our deputies and other reliable sources show 

 a still further decrease in our game lairds. Especially is this 

 true in the eastern and middle sections of the State. This de- 

 pletion is due to over shooting and that most destructive of all 

 weapons, the snare. In some sections snares have been set 

 by the thousands, completely clearing out the ruffed grouse, 

 and, if this nefarious work is not stopped, this finest of game 

 birds will be entire'y destroyed. It seems useless for the State 

 to expend money for the protection of game unless this work 

 can be suppressed. All snaring should be prohibited, under 

 severe penalty of fine or imprisonment, or both, at the discre- 

 tion of the court. The time in which game can be killed should 

 be shortened, and the open season for all game be the same. 

 Unless some decided action is taken, there will be in the near 

 future no game in our woods and fields. 



SAVE OUR SONG BIRDS. 

 "As to song and insectivorous birds, the laws should be more 

 vigorously enforced. Now, any boy who can raise $1.50 to buy 

 an old f?pr:ngfie]d musket, considers himself privileged to take 

 any wild thing- he Fees for a target. This, togetluT with th.' 

 fashion ■>{ deror.Tting ladies' hats with skins and wings of 



