IQ2 Y>VTcnKK. Report of CojHiii/ttee on Bird Protection. ft"'' 



South Carolina. — - Legislation. — The present law is unsatis- 

 factory in that it is not comprehensive. During the 1904 session 

 of the legislature an effort will be made to have the A. O. U. 

 model law passed. South Carolina is the only Atlantic Coast 

 State that has not adopted the model law. It is therefore very 

 important that this extensive gap in the coast line should be 

 closed, in order to fully protect all the existing breeding colonies 

 of sea birds. 



Wardeti system. — No wardens were employed by the Thayer 

 Fund, nor can any money be used until legal protection is given 

 the sea birds ; as soon as this is done wardens will be secured to> 

 see that the laws are properly enforced. 



Audubon work. — The small society that formerly existed has 

 given no evidence of activity for a year or more ; however, the 

 press of the State shows an intelligent interest in bird protection. 

 The following editorial from the ' State ' of Columbia, of July 2, 

 is worthy of the careful consideration of the citizens: "With the 

 disappearance of bird life there has been a vast increase in 

 uncanny insects. Almost every fruit, vegetable, shrub and flower 

 has its own enemy, and gardeners are compelled to spend much 

 time and money in fighting them. The shade trees of Columbia 

 are dying rapidly and no one can or will check the disease. 

 Something must be done at once to arrest the further march of 

 destruction. A few thousand dollars a year, with the enforcement 

 of laws against animal pests and human marauders, may result in 

 the saving of millions of dollars to South Carolina. The respon- 

 sibility rests with the legislature, and it cannot be laughed away." 



Tennessee. — Legislation. — During the session of 1903 the 

 A. O. U. model law was adopted. This admirable improvement 

 was due entirely to the devoted and energetic work of Senator 

 J. M. Graham, who introduced the bill in the Senate, assisted by 

 Representative Birdsong in the House. 



The initial movement in this great work was made many months 

 before the legislature convened, by Senator Graham, who wrote to 

 the National Committee for information regarding good bird leg- 

 islation. From that day until the law went into effect he v;as 

 untiring in his labors to give legal protection to the birds of Ten- 

 nessee, thus conserving one of the best assets of the State. The 

 next session of the legislature will be held in 1905. 



