The Audubon Societies 



147 



law and is now in force. The law, among 

 other things, prevents the sale of game, 

 limits the bag, and shortens many 

 seasons. 



The plumage section is exceptionally 

 strong, as it covers possession and sale, 

 irrespective of whether said bird was 

 captured or killed within or without the 

 state. This will effectually prevent the 

 sale of aigrettes. It also provides for a 

 Game Commission to be supported by 

 resident, non-resident and alien license 

 fees. This new law is one of the best in 

 force in any part of the country. 



It is especially pleasing to this Associa- 

 tion to have the chief magistrate of a 

 commonwealth take such a decided stand 

 for bird- and game-protection as that 

 taken by Governor Hadley. 



Wisconsin. — An attempt was made to 

 repeal the anti-spring shooting wild- 

 fowl law, but the bill was killed in the 

 Assembly by a vote of 46 to 40. This vic- 

 tory vv^as obtained only after a most strenu- 

 ous fight; it was probably one of the hardest 

 legislative battles that has occurred during 

 the present year. The history of this fight 

 is too long to record in Bird-Lore, but 

 it is only necessary to say that the fight 

 for the repeal was not made by the best 

 class of sportsmen. 



The Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. L. 

 H. Bancroft, and Assemblymen C. H. 

 Dorner and William M. Bray, were a 

 tower of strength in opposition to the re- 

 peal bill, and it was very largely due to 

 their determined opposition that the bill 

 was defeated. The high stand of civic 

 work of such legislators deserves the grate- 

 ful acknowledgment of all bird-lovers. 



Minnesota. — The following game- 

 preserve bill was signed by the Governor 

 on April 13: 



''Section i. No person shall kill, or 

 pursue with intent to kill, take, snare, or 

 have in possession, by any means, upon 

 the Minnesota state forest reserve lands 

 or parks, national forest lands, or upon 

 any lands that may he designated by the 

 State Game and Fish Commission as game- 

 propagating and breeding-grounds, any 

 wild animals or birds protected at any 



time by law. The killing or having in 

 possession oj each such protected animal 

 or bird shall constitute a separate offense. 



"Provided, that this act shall not pro- 

 hibit the killing or destroying of wolves 

 or other noxious animals by or under the 

 supervision of the State Game and Fish 

 Commission or the State Forestry Board." 



The new Superior National Forest in 

 the northern part of the state, established 

 February 13, 1909, alone contains nearly 

 a million acres, which will make it one 

 of the largest game preserves in the United 

 States. This Minnesota bill is one of the 

 most important advances made in game- 

 protection this year. 



Oklahoma. — After a two years' fight, 

 this state now has a most excellent game 

 and bird law, which was approved by 

 Governor C. N. Haskell, March 8. Among 

 other things, it provides that all wild 

 animals and wild birds, resident or migra- 

 tory, belong to the state; it defines game 

 birds and non-game birds; it prohibits 

 sale, and transportation out of the state; 

 it makes common carriers liable for 

 transportation; it protects the nests and 

 eggs of any kind of wild birds, and pro- 

 hibits snaring and trapping as well as 

 other illegal methods of capturing game; 

 it limits the bag and makes reasonably 

 satisfactory seasons; its plumage clause 

 is very strong, covering foreign birds; 

 it establishes a license system, resident 

 $1.25, non-resident $15, alien $25. Licenses 

 must be carried on the person while hunt- 

 ing, and must be shown on demand to any 

 citizen. It establishes a game commission, 

 the expenses of which are to be paid from 

 the game-protection fund; it compels a 

 biennial report. 



The passage of this bill is a strong ad- 

 vance movement in Oklahoma, and places 

 this young state well in the advance in 

 bird- and game-protection. 



California. — An amended law for 

 the protection of the wild birds, other than 

 game birds, was enacted at the legislative 

 session of 1909, and has been approved 

 by the Governor. This law provides that 

 "every person in the State of California 

 who shall at any time kill or catch, or 



