I 20 DuTCHER, Report of Committee on Bird Protection. f'lan 



measures for protection are not taken in time. The warden must 

 have fullest authority from the State and be supported by the 

 entire strength of our Society ; also a certain remuneration must 

 be given him, as he will be obliged to cover much territory at a 

 great expense of time." 



Since his appointment in May last Mr. Bradley has been actively 

 engaged in visiting all parts of his territory, posting notices, and 

 thoroughly informing the citizens that there is now a law protect- 

 ing birds. A large class of the citizens are law abiding, but were 

 not before acquainted with the fact that a bird law is in force. In 

 several other channels he has rendered valuable service, especially 

 in investigating the subject of ' egging,' which has heretofore been 

 carried on in an alarming and very destructive manner. Every 

 effort will be made during the coming breeding season to stop 

 this wasteful practice, as it is now absolutely illegal. 



Another warden was employed, Capt. C. G. Johnson, keeper of 

 the Sand Key Lighthouse, about seven miles from Key West. A 

 large number of sea birds breed on this and adjacent keys, all of 

 which have been thoroughly posted with warning notices. The 

 warden reports that no birds have been shot nor have any eggs 

 been taken by fishermen or others. Some eggs are destroyed 

 every year by turtles crushing them when they are crawling up on 

 the key to deposit their own eggs. The warden also writes that 

 the Key West fishermen are all under obligations to him for 

 permitting them to come ashore on the key in order to catch 

 sardines for bait. " They have all been notified by me personally 

 about the law, and I do not think that they will give any trouble 

 in the future." I was informed by a previous keeper that several 

 thousand breeding birds could not successfully raise more than a 

 few hundred young, so thoroughly were the eggs collected or 

 trampled on in order to get fresh ones on the succeeding visit. 



The sea birds that breed on the various keys at the Dry 

 Tortugas have had complete protection, as per the following letter 

 from T. C. Treadwell, Captain, commanding U. S. Naval Station, 

 April 21, 1902. 



'■'■Dear Sir: — 



"Replying to jour letter of the 12th inst. with regard to the protec- 

 tion of birds on these keys, I have to state as follows : 



