Vol. XX 

 1903 



I DuTCHER, Report of Committee on Bird Protection. 1^7 



R. S. Ludlam, of Stone Harbor, reports that the 'mudhen,' /. e., 

 Clapper Rails, did splendidly, but that the colony of about 1,000 

 Laughing Gulls did not raise over 100 young this year, owing to 

 the loss of nearly all the eggs by a heavy storm tide early in June. 

 The colony of terns is very small but made a normal increase. 

 The birds were not disturbed by men or boys during the season. 



Capt. J. B. Rider, of Little Egg Harbor, reports that the colony 

 of terns in his charge did well this year and probably raised about 

 600 young, as near as he could judge ; they were not disturbed. 

 These two small colonies of terns and the one colony of Laughing 

 Gulls are all that are left of the once countless numbers that bred 

 on the New Jersey coast ; all were cruelly and wantonly sacrificed 

 on the altar of fashion. It will take years of the most patient and 

 watchful care to repopulate the beaches and marshes of the New 

 Jersey coast with these beautiful and graceful sea birds. 



Audubon Work. — The New Jersey Society reports about 500 

 members. Local societies have been started in seven places dur- 

 ing the past year. About 300 leaflets have been distributed, also 

 some warning notices. Appeals and letters were sent out to over 

 200 persons last spring in an effort to pass an anti-pigeon shooting 

 bill, which proved unsuccessful. During the coming winter the 

 attempt will be renewed. A circular will shortly be sent out in an 

 effort to check the use of wild bird plumage for millinery orna- 

 ments. The Society is doing all it can to create sentiment in favor 

 of bird protection and to aid the Fish and Game Commission in 

 its effective enforcement of the bird laws. 



New York. 



Legislation. — An amendment, which materially strengthened the 

 previously excellent bird law, was passed at the last session of the 

 legislature, as follows: "Section 141. Wherever in this act the 

 possession of fish or game, or the flesh of any animal, bird or fish, 

 is prohibited, reference is had equally to such fish, game or flesh 

 coming from without the State as to that taken within the State." 



A great many convictions have been obtained during the past 

 year by the Forest, Fish and Game Commission, who deserve 

 great credit for the effective manner in which 'they are enforcing 



