BULLETIN NUMBER FIVE 209 



therein, and terribly difficult to reach, then we must warn 

 Californians to beware of the deadly influence of the auto- 

 mobile, the new road, and the automatic-pump gun! That 

 new combination is exceedingly deadly to birds, and it can 

 snuff out a bird fauna like the blowing-out of a candle by 

 a blizzard. 



Were I a Californian, I would strongly advocate an im- 

 mediate 6-year close season for the sage grouse throughout 

 the short and narrow ribbon that it inhabits along the 

 northeastern border of the state, as the only sure and cer- 

 tain preventive of local extinction. 



While at present it is dangerous to advocate an open sea- 

 son on those large, half -tame and easily-killed birds, it does 

 seem as if in eastern Oregon and Nevada grouse shooting 

 need not yet be entirely prohibited. In spite of the automo- 

 bile, it does seem that in view of the reported number of 

 birds, and the remote regions that they inhabit, shooting 

 might continue for a short time, provided the open seasons 

 are completely reformed, and the bag limit is reduced to 

 three birds per day. At the same time the capacity of auto- 

 matic and pump guns should firmly be reduced to two shots. 

 In both those states the open season should be for two weeks 

 only, beginning not one day earlier than September 15. 



For each of the remaining nine states, it is perfectly clear 

 that a 6-year close season for each one is absolutely neces- 

 sary to save the finest grouse of America from early extinc- 

 tion. 



OBJECTIONS TO BE MET. 



In answer to the demand for 6-year close seasons, many 

 good sportsmen will say, "Grouse shooting is the only shoot- 

 ing we now have. If that is taken away, we will have no 

 shooting !" 



Now, that condition does not and can not make one par- 

 ticle of difference to the NECESSITIES of the sage grouse, 

 or of any other grouse. There are at least 10,000 localities 



