ENLARGING THE POWERS OF THE DEPART- 

 MENT OF AGRICULTURE x 



The committee on interstate and foreign commerce, to 

 whom was referred the bill (H. R. 6634) to enlarge the 

 powers of the Department of Agriculture, prohibit the 

 transportation by interstate commerce of game killed in 

 violation of local laws, and for other purposes, beg leave 

 to submit the following report, and recommend that said 

 bill do pass, with an amendment. 



This bill has a three-fold purpose : 



1. It is intended to authorize the secretary of agri- 

 culture to provide for the introduction and restoration of 

 game, song, and insectivorous wild birds in such parts of 

 the country as he may deem it desirable to do so. 



In many of the states the native birds have been well- 

 nigh exterminated. Agriculture suffers a pecuniary loss 

 by their destruction, for they are the farmer's and plant- 

 er's best friends in the destruction of noxious insects. 

 There is a sentiment involved in the question that makes 

 the preservation and restoration of these birds a matter 

 of public concern. Attempts have frequently been made 

 by private individuals and clubs to introduce new varie- 

 ties, or to restore again the old varieties of feathered life. 

 Their active and persistent foes have usually destroyed 

 such birds within a year or two after their introduction. 



There have been some notable exceptions to this rule. 

 In Oregon the Chinese pheasant has become abundant, 



i Mr. Sherman, from the committee on interstate and foreign commerce, 

 submitted the report, to accompany H. E. 6634 presented by Mr. Laeey. 

 The report of Mr. Sherman is a lengthy one and therefore is omitted here. 

 Only Major Lacey's own speech is reprinted. 



