STATEMENT ON GAME PROTECTION l 



The preservation of migratory birds is one of extreme 

 difficulty under our system of government. 



Each spring they begin their annual journey to the far 

 north where they spend the summer generally undis- 

 turbed. 



In their northern journey water-fowl are usually lean 

 and emaciated and not suited for food. Killing them at 

 that season is wasteful in the extreme. 



As they pass from state to state over a thickly inhab- 

 ited country, a constant and destructive fusillade gives 

 them a deadly welcome. 



Each pair of birds if undisturbed will bring back a 

 large following in the autumn. 



The killing of a pair of ducks in March means a short- 

 age of fifteen or twenty at the end of the season. 



The states should by concerted action forbid all killing 

 of these birds in their spring migration. 



It would also seem, as no adequate state laws will en- 

 sure such protection, that the general government in its 

 power to legislate for the mutual benefit of all the states, 

 might constitutionally protect these birds by an act of 

 Congress, forbidding all shooting of migratory birds dur- 

 ing the period of their spring migration. Certainly such 

 a law would be most desirable, if constitutional. 



This important subject has recently been submitted to 

 the Department of Justice for an official opinion. 



Concurrent and uniform state action being imprac- 



i By John F. Lacey. 



