56 Report of Committee on Bird Protection. Auk 
Jan. 
‘sportsmen’ completely checked the slaughter in the vicinity of 
Helena. 
In Washington, D. C., Dr. T. S. Palmer reports the arrest of 
one of the principal game-dealers for selling Robins, which has 
resulted in stopping the traffic in that city to a great extent. 
Mr. Geo. H. Mackay, although resigned from the Committee, 
has continued his excellent work in the interests of bird protection 
in Massachusetts, both in looking after the Terns on the islands 
and in legislative work. His most encouraging report is an 
evidence of what can be done by a competent person who has 
the interest of bird protection so much at heart. His: report is 
here appended. 
“In the matter of legislation something has been gained; one 
very important law has been enacted which is already showing 
good results, viz., ‘ That every Lord’s day shall be close season ; 
whoever hunts, kills or destroys game or birds of any kind on 
the Lord’s day shall be liable to the penalties imposed for the 
violation of the law during other close seasons, and such pen- 
alties shall be in addition to those already imposed for the 
violation of the laws relating to shooting upon the Lord’s day.’ 
Still another law has been passed creating for five years a large 
reservation within the limits of the town of Essex, Mass., within 
which birds and animals are protected. In addition a most 
vicious marketmen’s bill was defeated after a hard contest, as 
also another bill which sought to extend the open season on the 
Mergansers, or Sheldrakes. Five other protective bills, includ- 
ing my own, failed to secure favorable legislation, although a 
strong effort, accompanied by forcible and exhaustive arguments, 
was made in their behalf. There is no necessity, however, for 
the abandonment of the effort on this account, for it is visible to 
those who can read the handwriting on the wall that it is only a 
question of time when such protective bills will be successful, 
and while some of those who are at present engaged in the work 
may not see the realization, they are, nevertheless, preparing the 
ground and paving the way for those who may follow them. In 
all of the above bills I have taken an active part, being present 
and speaking for better protection. 
* The Terns and Laughing Gulls domiciled during the breeding 
