ADDRESSES OF MAJOR LACEY 137 



though it has been introduced within the last twenty 

 years. Your committee believes that the birds that may 

 be the subject of experiment by the Department of Agri- 

 culture will receive more encouragement from the people 

 than when private individuals undertake their introduc- 

 tion or restoration. The prairie chicken has almost dis- 

 appeared in many of the states of the Northwest. Should 

 some of these birds be turned loose in North Carolina 

 and Virginia, national and public sentiment would pro- 

 tect them and in time they might become abundant there. 

 At any rate the experiment is worthy of a trial. The 

 grouse of the northwestern Pacific Coast would no doubt 

 readily adapt itself to the woods of Pennsylvania and 

 the states of the far south. 



At a moderate expense the Department of Agriculture 

 could not only introduce new species but could return 

 species that have become locally extinct, and at the same 

 time disseminate such information as would create a 

 healthy public sentiment for their preservation. 



2. The bill places it within the power of the secretary 

 of agriculture to prevent the unwise introduction of for- 

 eign birds and animals. 



Had this power existed some years ago it would have 

 spared the presence of the English sparrow, whose im- 

 portation was the result of the mistake of some well- 

 meaning people who had not given the history and habits 

 of these birds a proper study. 



3. The most important purpose of this bill is to sup- 

 plement the state laws for the protection of game and 

 birds. The various states and territories have enacted 

 appropriate laws for this purpose, but the laws are 

 evaded by the pot-hunter, and deer, antelope, prairie 

 chickens, grouse, quail, and all kinds of game are shipped 

 concealed in various methods to other states where they 

 are sold in the open market. This bill is intended to be- 



