The principal draw-back to beach-bird shoot- 

 ing is, that there are comparatively few places 

 where the birds are numerous enough to make it 

 worth while. 



On the Pacific coast especially, almost all of the 

 snipe killed are shot by duck hunters. In the 

 Autumn they alight in large flocks on the "flats" 

 bordering the northwestern duck marshes. If the 

 hunter who sees them is not having much success 

 with ducks, he often attempts a stalk on the snipe, 

 or plover, and "rakes" them while they are "bunched 

 up." The Atlantic coast is far better suited for 

 beach-bird shooting than the Pacific; due to the 

 greater number of sandy beaches and shallow bays. 



The south side of Long Island is justly famous 

 for its bay-bird shooting and under favorable con- 

 ditions the sportsman can still get a fair bag. 



Beach birds are growing fewer every year, and 

 good laws, strongly enforced, are necessary to keep 

 them from being exterminated. Compared to our 

 upland birds, they are easily killed. Their socia- 

 ble nature makes them an easy prey to the market 

 hunter. 



The only way to save them is to absolutely pro- 

 hibit their sale and protect them during the Spring 

 migration. Due to the rapid growth of our country, 

 and the speed wdth which the wilderness is being 

 settled, our game laws are inadequate. Even the 

 breeding-grounds of our water-fowl are in danger 

 unless laws are passed and enforced to protect 

 21 



