APPENDIX 



BIRDS OF PREY AND THE " SCALP " ACT OF JUNE 23, 1885. 



In an agricultural district, the preservation of the hawks and owls is a matter of 

 great importance. These birds, with few exceptions, subsist mainly on mice, other 

 small quadrupeds and various insects, which are so destructive in the fields, or- 

 chards, gardens and about buildings. Until within a quite recent period, Pennsyl- 

 vania has been burdened with an act of assembly awarding premiums for the de- 

 struction of these well-known feathered friends of the farmer. The members of 

 "The West Chester Microscopical Society," recognizing the great wrong and injury 

 which was being accomplished by the enforcement of this odious "Scalp Act," as it 

 was universally called, took an active part in endeavoring to secure its repeal. 

 From -reports* issued by their Committee on the Protection of Birds of Prey, the fol- 

 lowing extracts are taken : 



"The committee appointed at the last meeting of the Microscopical Society to take 

 into consideration the act of assembly passed the 23d day of June, A. D. 1885, enti- 

 tled 4 An act for the destruction of wolves, wild cats, foxes, minks, hawks, weasels 

 and owls in this commonwealth,' beg leave to report that the chairman of the com- 

 mittee, Dr. B. H. Warren, ornithologist of the Pennsylvania State Board of Agricul- 

 ture, has devoted several years of his life to the collection, dissection and examina- 

 tion of birds, and that all of the committee from observation and experience have 

 believed that all of the birds denounced in the law, with rare exceptions, have been 

 found to be the best friends of the farmer. Lest, however, any of the committee 

 might be mistaken they have corresponded with the best ornithologists in the 

 country, men who have made oVnithology a study and are connected with that de- 

 partment in the Smithsonian Institution, asking their opinion as to the benefits or 

 injury likely to arise from the execution of the law against the birds therein named. 



"They have received answers from Dr. C. Hart Merriam, ornithologist of the 

 United States Department of Agriculture; Dr. Elliott Coues, vice president Amer- 

 ican Ornithologists' Union ; Robert Ridgway, Curator Department of Birds 

 United States National Museum ; Dr. Leonhard Stejneger, assistant curator of the 

 same department ; H. W. Henshaw, of the Bureau of Ethnology, also a eollector of 

 birds for the Smithsonian Institution, and connected with the late Wheeler Survey 

 of the territories, and Lucien M. Turner, a collector of birds, etc., for the Smith- 

 sonian Institution for the last twelve years. These answers, which are annexed to 

 this report, all bear testimony that the hawks and owls are of great benefit to the 

 farmer, and render him far greater service than injury, and that it is unwise to se- 

 lect any of them for destruction. 



"The committee regrets to say that there have been ninety odd hawks and a dozen 

 or more owls killed since the law was passed, June 23, 1885, at a cost to this county 

 of about $75, and that the slaughter is still going on. 



'Reports of the Microscopical Society of West Chester. Pa., on the act of assembly of said state 

 awarding a premium for the destruction of hawks, owls, minks, weasels, etc., etc.. enacted June 23, 

 1885: published January, 1887. 



(333) 



