h'2'2 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



of WiscousiM, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and 

 Ohio, however, now protect plover eitlier partially or 

 Avholly from spring shooting. 



In regard to legislating against spring duck shooting, 

 Massachusetts, in protecting only wood duck, black duck 

 and teal, from March 1 to September 1, is already be- 

 hind New Hampshire, Vermont, Ohio, Michigan, Wiscon- 

 sin and Minnesota; for these States prohibit all, or nearly 

 all, duck shooting during most of the winter and spring 

 months. New Brunswick prohibits the shooting of wood 

 duck, black duck, Brant, teal and geese between Decem- 

 ber 2 and September 1. Nova Scotia, however, protects 

 only " blue- winged duck," teal and wood duck in spring. 

 The Province of Quebec protects all wild duck except 

 sheldrake in much of her territory from March 1 to Sep- 

 tember 1, while Ontario sets an example, which we may 

 well follow, by protecting all ducks from December 16 to 

 September 1. Newfoundland, Maine, New Hampshire, 

 New York and Georgia protect either some or all ducks, 

 beginning at a date before April 1.* With the exception of 

 the States named, not any Atlantic Coast State or Gulf State 

 protects ducks, except wood duck in Virginia and Louisi- 

 ana, before the first of April. f If all ducks and shore 

 birds which migrate south could be protected there and 

 along their routes of migration after the first day of Janu- 

 ary, and also throughout the spring and summer, both in 

 migi'ation and on their breeding grounds, it seems probable 

 that the diminution in their numbers might be checked. If 

 all organizations interested in the protection of birds or 

 game would work together for this end, it might be accom- 

 plished. 



The prohibition of the iise of bird dogs, if it were possible, 

 would undoubtedly save many birds, for some men would 

 be unable to find birds were it not for their dogs. But dogs 

 will be. used so long as birds are shot for sport or market. 

 They ought, however, to be confined during the breeding 



* Fanners' Bulletin No. 207, " Game laws for 1904," by T. S. Palmer, Henry 

 Oldys and R. S. Williams, Jr., of the Biolooical Survey, United States Depart- 

 ment of AETvioulture. 



t This apjilies also to certain counties of North Carolina and Alabama. 



