V °!; S ^ VI ] Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 6^ 



heard at the same time by the Fish and Game committee, and 

 although the strongest kind of arguments were presented in their 

 favor, it was without avail, the committee reporting against both 

 bills. I fought them through but was defeated in the end. The 

 combined interests above mentioned have thus far proved too 

 strong for me. 



" I would again call attention to the shooting and shipment 

 East in the spring of certain birds, and strongly appeal to our 

 Western friends to make some endeavor to prevent it, if possible, 

 in the case of the American Golden Plovers, Eskimo Curlews, 

 and Bartramian Sandpipers. These birds are permitted to be 

 sold in Massachusetts during the closed season provided they have 

 been taken out of the State. I have tried very hard to prevent such 

 sale here, but without success. These birds are killed in the 

 West and Southwest during the spring while on their way to the 

 breeding grounds. It is a common occurrence to take eggs from 

 the females when cleaning them. Unless protective laws are 

 enacted in the West, little can be hoped for in Massachusetts, and 

 it will not be long before these birds will disappear on our coast 

 except as stragglers. In fact, judging from a number of years 

 past in Massachusetts, such conditions have already been reached. 

 Nebraska, Missouri, and Texas (Fort Worth) appear to be the 

 principal shipping points. 



-One retrograde law was enacted this year, viz.: The open 

 on on the Scoters having been extended f rom April 15 to May 

 20, in order to cover for shooting purposes, the spring migration 

 of these Ducks northward to breed. I endeavored to defeat this 

 bill, and at hist thought I had succeeded, as it was voted down. 

 A subsequent reconsideration reinstated it, and with another vote 

 it was passed, and later received the approval of the Governor. 

 As a precedent, I consider the success of this bill as unfortunate, 

 as it will invite similar attempts, more than one of which, I hear, 

 are to be undertaken next winter. 



•• Black-bellied Plovers continue to increase in this State, both 

 in spring and autumn, the result, I am convinced, of protective 

 laws. This increase is creating some discontent with such laws, 

 as persons who desire to kill them in the spring during the closed 

 season, are prevented from so doing. 

 5 



