418 Bird - Lore 



states, although a bill offering a bounty on porcupines was passed in Vermont. 

 Seven bills extending the shooting season for wild fowl were defeated, after 

 the usual long and tedious struggle. 



In Massachusetts, two bills, one to repeal and the other to amend a law 

 which now prohibits the sale of wild game, were defeated. A bill was intro- 

 duced to allow the possession of game during the closed season and, although 

 this was apparently defeated at least twice, it was resurrected in different 

 form and came very near passing, but was finally defeated by a disagreement 

 between the two Houses at the end of the session. Two bills were passed 

 allowing towns to appoint wardens, one providing for a fish- and game-warden 

 to be compensated by the town to the extent of $50 per year, and the other 

 authorizing the appointment of bird-wardens by city councils or town meet- 

 ings. This act allows the city or town to pay a bird-warden, and sets no 

 limit to the amount to be paid. It was passed late in the session, but the 

 town of Dover has appointed a warden and he is now at work. This act 

 appears to mark a new departure in this country in the way of legislation 

 for the protection of birds, and it is hoped that other states will follow 

 Massachusetts. 



An act "to protect the fishery of the proprietors of the New Mattakassett 

 Creeks" proved to be an act to allow them to shoot or kill Gulls in a manner 

 approved by the Fish and Game Commissioners, within 200 yards of any part 

 of the creek or canal maintained by the herring fishermen. The title of the 

 bill was so misleading that its character was not recognized until it had been 

 reported upon favorably by the committee on fisheries and game, but it was 

 finally defeated in the Senate by a very decisive vote. 



Another bill authorizing the Commonwealth to convey a state pond to 

 a private individual was introduced at this session. A similar bill was defeated 

 two years ago. The pond was Benson's Pond in Carver, a shallow pond which 

 is a breeding-place of water-fowl and other birds. Such a conveyance would 

 form a precedent under which any pond in the state could be conveyed to 

 any individual or corporation. So much opposition developed at the hearing 

 that the bill was withdrawn. 



In Connecticut, the only legislation detrimental to birds and animals 

 that was passed was a bill to allow the shooting of Blackbirds when doing 

 damage to grain. Protection was removed from Starlings, both in Connecticut 

 and Vermont, but this can hardly be considered a calamity, as the Starling 

 is not only destructive to fruit, but drives away native birds wherever it 

 becomes too numerous. 



In New Hampshire a bill was introduced to establish the office of State 

 Ornithologist, but failed of passage. The laws protecting fur-bearing animals 

 were strengthened, and no really adverse legislation was passed. The dispo- 

 sition to restrain all dogs from running at large in the woods or fields inhabited 

 by game-birds or ground-nesting birds has resulted in the passage of a law 



