292 THE IMPORTANCE OF BIRD LIFE 



viding homes free from molestation for millions 

 of water-fowl and herons, which otherwise would 

 now be extinct. 



And, following the example set by the Federal 

 Government, many States have purchased or 

 otherwise acquired waste lands which they term 

 game preserves, refuges, sanctuaries, or state 

 parks, on which no further shooting is permitted. 

 These lands, however, must not be confused with 

 the sometimes gigantic state forest preserves 

 where shooting, under certain conditions, is gen- 

 erally allowed. 



Game refuges or sanctuaries are tracts rang- 

 ing from a few acres up to several thousand. 

 They are carefully guarded by wardens, some- 

 times heavily stocked from state game-farms, 

 and serve as oases for game which gradually fil- 

 ters out beyond their boundaries to replenish the 

 dwindling stock of the surrounding territories. 

 Some refuges are actually owned by the State; 

 others are merely held for a term of years under 

 a lease; and still others may be protected for 

 specific periods of time upon request of the 

 owners. 



Let us cite briefly what has been accomplished 

 on the dozen or so reservations in the small State 

 of Massachusetts. As soon as the land is taken 

 over by the State, every effort is made to exter- 

 minate its varied population of vermin and to 

 make it habitable for game. It is then restocked, 



