State Reports 87 



of these islands were small sand-bars or shell heaps, others were of consid- 

 erable size, with areas of marsh grass. Among other distressing conditions 

 discovered on the trip, was the fact that the market hunters of wild -fowl, 

 principally in the employment of cold storage houses, contemplated visiting 

 the outlying islands, beyond the jurisdiction of the Louisiana laws, in order 

 to kill Ducks. This meant the destruction of some two or three hundred 

 thousand birds, which were to be shipped via Mobile, as the new non-export 

 law of Louisiana prevented the shipment of these game birds out of the 

 state, as had heretofore been done. 



The conditions were so appalling that President Miller visited New 

 York in order to lay the matter in detail before the National Committee, 

 hoping that some means could be devised to stop both the egging in summer 

 and shooting water-fowl in winter. The larger of the islands visited is the 

 most outlying, and is a natural refuge for wild -fowl in the cold season prior 

 to the spring migration. The island referred to is some twelve miles long, 

 and contains many thousand acres, with ponds and natural feeding-grounds. 

 An examination of the records in the Land Office in Washington by Mr. 

 Bond, of the National Committee, revealed the fact that several of the is- 

 lands, including Breton Island referred to above, were still the property of 

 the General Government. The details furnished by President Miller were 

 then presented by Mr. Bond to the Departments of the Interior and Agri- 

 culture, which referred the matter to the Chief Executive, with the result 

 that seven of the islands were set aside by President Roosevelt as a Public 

 Reservation (see page 72). 



The balance of the bird islands on examination were found to have been 

 ceded to the State of Louisiana, or were within the jurisdiction of the state, 

 so that the bird laws can be enforced. A large number of these islands be- 

 long to the Lake Borgne Levee Association, and can be purchased for a 

 nominal sum per acre, as they are entirely valueless for any purpose except 

 breeding -places for birds. The several islands in question, some thirty in 

 number, aggregate some thousands of acres, and should be he property of 

 the Louisiana Audubon Society. 



It is hoped that some rich and public -spirited citizen of Louisiana will 

 furnish the Audubon Society with the means to buy these islands, that they 

 may be dedicated forever as breeding-places and winter homes for water 

 birds. Louisiana was the birthplace of John James Audubon, the great 

 artist -naturalist, and within her borders he passed a considerable portion of 

 his life. The citizens of Louisiana can in no more fitting way show honor 

 to one of the greatest of her sons, one whose name will always shed luster 

 on the state, than to make these bird islands a refuge and name them the 

 Audubon Reservation. It is what the great Audubon would have chosen, 

 and will be a far more fitting and enduring monument than a shaft of marble 

 or granite. 



