1^6 DuTCHER, Report of Committee oti Bird Protection. \\^ 



Idaho. — Legislation. — The non-game birds of this State have 

 no legal protection whatever. Next session of the legislature, 

 1905. 



Audubon work. — There is no organized society at the present 

 time, although quite recently the Committee received an inquiry 

 from a citizen in Weippe asking for information regarding 

 Audubon work and method of organization. 



Illinois. — Legislation. — No change in the non-game bird law. 

 The A. O. U. model law is in force. 



At the session of the legislature last winter the game laws were 

 amended so as to prohibit the shooting of Ruffed Grouse and 

 Prairie Chickens for four years. Another amendment prohibits 

 the sale of Illinois killed ducks, and limits the bag which any one 

 man may make in a day. 



Warden systefu. — No wardens were employed by the Thayer 

 Fund. However, the State game wardens are very active and 

 there have been a number of prosecutions of men who have dis- 

 regarded the Prairie Chicken law. Fines were inflicted and a 

 salutary lesson taught. One Chicago millionnaire who went to the 

 scene of his shooting in an automobile was captured on the way 

 back with Woodcock in his possession. It was before the open- 

 ing of the season and the man was fined. 



The small boy has been taught to respect the song bird in 

 Illinois. It is the Italian workman who is the worst offender. 

 He goes out Sunday and shoots everything in sight. Many of 

 these Italians have been caught and fined, but their fellow country- 

 men are slow to learn a lesson. 



With the exception of one dealer, the bird sellers of Chicago 

 have ceased to trafftc in native American birds. The one offender 

 was fined heavily at one time but he still plies his trade, though 

 he does it half secretly. It is more than probable that ere long a 

 means will be found to put an end to his illegal business. 



Audubon work. — Mr. E. B. Clark, the Illinois member of the 

 A. O. U. Protection Committee, says: "The year in Illinois has 

 been marked by an increase of interest in the preservation of 

 bird life fully as great as in any year since the phenomenal change 

 in public sentiment regarding bird protection which took place a 

 few years ago. The agreement with the millinery manufacturers 



