ORNITHOLOGICAL HISTORICAL SKETCH 



On March 6, 1903, the Legislature enacted a law which not only contained these 

 provisions, but many others, notable among which was one that delegated and 

 empowered the State Audubon Society to select game wardens throughout the State 

 to carry into execution the various bird and game protective statutes. 



During the year which followed, the Society was much engaged in effecting the 

 organization of this work throughout the State. Copies of the Audubon law were 

 printed in pamphlet form and widely distributed. Digests of the game laws were 

 printed on cloth and nailed to 8,000 trees and buildings along the public highways 

 of the State. Accurate and carefully prepared literature of the value of birds was 

 published and given wide circulation. In all, 76,069 copies of printed information 

 of this character were distributed from the office at Greensboro. In addition, 500 

 books discussing the habits and activities of wild birds were circulated in the schools 

 and elsewhere. Twenty-nine State game wardens were employed. These spent 

 their time largely in going among the people and pushing the campaign of general 

 education on the subject of the value of birds to the State. They also did work of 

 a sterner character. Twenty-two shipments of Grouse and Quail, which were being 

 smuggled to northern markets, were seized, and thirty-one successful prosecutions 

 for violations of the game laws were conducted in the courts. 



During the years that followed, the same line of work was continued with 

 increasing scope and efficiency. In 1905, 45 wardens were employed, and in spite 

 of great indifference, and in many instances a most bitter opposition, 66 game-law 

 violators were convicted of crime. In 1906 there were 44 wardens and 84 convic- 

 tions; in 1907, 62 wardens and 68 convictions; in 1908, 79 wardens and 245 convic- 

 tions; in 1909, 100 wardens and 163 convictions. 



It should be borne in mind that these men were not working on salaries, but 

 served largely for the love of the cause. With few exceptions, it was impossible to 

 pay them more than small fees, or a per diem for the time actually employed in 

 conducting specific work under the direction of the secretary. The resources of 

 the Society have never been sufficient to do otherwise. All money collected by fines 

 goes, by law, to the school fund, so the Society has had to depend entirely upon the 

 support of people who are enough interested in its work to give it their support 

 and the funds raised by the sale of licenses that are bought by nonresident hunters. 

 The financial assistance of the members has been generous, and more than sufficient 

 to pay the expenses and moderate salary of the executive officer, so that none of 

 the license fund has been used for that purpose. 



The State of North Carolina has never appropriated any funds for the support 

 of this work; hence it may be seen that whatever has been accomplished by the 

 Audubon Society of North Carolina, in the enforcement of the law, in the securing 

 of more adequate statutes, or in the cultivating of public sentiment, has been done 

 without the taxpayer, or the resident hunter, or in fact any North Carolinian, ever 

 having been required to contribute a cent to the work. 



Much remains to be done in the line of bird-law and game-law enforcement in 

 the State. It is well known among game protectors throughout the United States 

 that North Carolina has fallen sadly behind most other States in the matter of 



