BIOGRAPHICAL 17 



He fought for this bill through six of the busiest years 

 of his life, and it finally passed both houses of Congress 

 in April, and was approved May 1, 1900, by President 

 McKinley. 



That act has saved the lives of more birds than any 

 other law ever enacted in this or any other country. 



Here are some extracts from a speech delivered in the 

 House of Representatives, by Major Lacey, in support of 

 his bird bill, and which indicate the fondness of this great 

 man for birds : 



I have always been a lover of birds; and have always been a 

 hunter as well ; for today there is no friend that the birds have 

 like the true sportsman — the man who enjoys legitimate sport. 

 He protects them out of season ; he kills them in moderation in 

 season. The game hog is an animal on two legs that is disap- 

 pearing. May he soon be extinct ! The game hog formerly had 

 himself photographed surrounded by the fruits of a day's 

 "sport," and regarded the photograph as imperfect unless he 

 had at least 100 dead ducks, grouse, or geese around him. To- 

 day a true sportsman would be ashamed to be pictured in con- 

 nection with a larger number of birds than a decent share for 

 an American gunner, having due regard to the preservation of 

 game for future. . . 



We have given an awful exhibition of slaughter and destruc- 

 tion which may serve as a warning to all mankind. Let us now 

 give an example of wise conservation of what remains of the 

 gifts of nature. 



It is late. It is too late a* to the wild pigeon. The buffalo 

 is almost a thing of the past, but there still remains much to 

 preserve, and we must act earnestly if we would accomplish 

 good results. I love the people who love birds. The man or 

 the woman who does not love birds should be classed with the 

 person who has no love for music — fit only for treason, strata- 

 gems, and spoils. I would love to have a solo singer in every 

 bush and a choir of birds in every tree top. 



The people of Iowa never made a greater mistake in 

 their lives than when they allowed Major Lacey to retire 



