INCREASE OF GAME BIRDS THROUGHOUT THE 



MIDDLE WEST THROUGH THE FEDERAL 



MIGRATORY BIRD LAW. 



IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE UNITED STATES 

 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Despite all present handicaps on the forcible enforce- 

 ment of the migratory bird law, the cordial acceptance of 

 the law by perhaps two million conscientious sportsmen, 

 and the deterrent influence of the ominous words "federal 

 courts" upon many would-be law-breakers, already has 

 produced great results in bringing back the game. The in- 

 crease of game from the stoppage of spring shooting has 

 been phenomenal. We hope that in a short time the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture will issue a special bulletin covering 

 this very important subject. 



Meanwhile, the Secretary of Agriculture has kindly sup- 

 plied us with some information covering the area of the 

 Middle West, where the problem is especially difficult. It 

 will be of the utmost interest to every person who is in any 

 manner following the effort that is now being made, and 

 undoubtedly will continue to be made, by about 2,000 duck 

 hunters of Missouri and adjacent states (except Arkansas), 

 to destroy the federal law, and later on to prevent the rati- 

 fication of the international treaty with Canada. 



W. T. H. 



Department of Agriculture 

 Washington 



June 16, 1916. 

 Dr. W. T. Hornaday, 



New York Zoological Park, 

 New York City. 



Dear Sir: 



In response to your request of June 12 for statistics 

 bearing on the increase of migratory birds since the enact- 

 ment of the Migratory Bird Law, the following is submit- 

 ted for your information : 



