PROTECTION OF BIRDS 475 



which are becoming scarce, such as most of the shore birds, 

 were given complete protection for five years, until 1918. 

 The other game birds are given protection for about nine 

 months, an open season of about three months being allowed 

 in the autumn. In 1918 this migratory bird law was re- 

 placed by the bird treaty with Canada. This grants the 

 same sort of protection provided by the migratory bird law, 

 but it is more satisfactory and comprehensive. 



Another thing the government has been doing to protect 

 birds has been to set aside bird reservations, where birds 

 receive complete protection at all times. The first reser- 

 vation was set aside in 1903. Since that time others have 

 been added till there were sixty-nine in 1915. 



Bird clubs. Other agencies which have been active in 

 protecting birds are the "bird clubs which have been formed 

 in various parts of the country. At the present time there 

 are several hundred of these with adult membership, besides 

 many children's clubs. The best known of these clubs is 

 the Meriden Bird -Club, in New Hampshire. A large per 

 cent of the population of this little village are members of 

 this club. Special pains have been taken to attract and to 

 protect birds here both in summer and in winter, with the 

 result that many birds are found here. The English sparrow 

 has been completely driven away from this village. A 

 special bird sanctuary of thirty-two acres has been set aside, 

 and special efforts are made to attract the birds there. 



Other similar clubs have been formed in various parts of 

 the country. Besides the Junior Audubon classes, to which 

 reference has been made, there is another bird club composed 

 chiefly of children, known as the Liberty Bell Bird Club. 

 This has a membership of more than 700,000. All the bird 

 clubs of this country have a total membership of about one 

 million. 



What remains to be done. The work now being done by 

 these various protective agencies should be continued and 



