214 WILD LIFE PROTECTION FUND 



release him from his duty when the license money ceases to 

 accrue. 



Shall the non-game birds of beauty and value be penal- 

 ized, and slaughtered whenever there is no longer any game 

 to kill under license? 



The idea is repulsive. Surely the people of America gen- 

 erally never will adopt such a policy, even though Delaware 

 is practicing it today, and certain other states have no paid 

 game wardens. 



No! A thousand times no! The protection of the non- 

 game birds, and our tattered remnants of game birds, never 

 should be made contingent upon the receipt of blood money 

 derived from the sale of hunting licenses. We must not 

 descend low enough to occupy such mean and sordid ground 

 as the acceptance of that principle would imply. 



It is the duty of the people of all states yet inhabited by 

 grouse to accord all grouse species the long close seasons 

 that their circumstances now demand, entirely regardless of 

 the license question; and if ever it comes to pass that the 

 hunting-license fees are inadequate for the maintenance of 

 state game commissions and wardens, then all the shortages 

 must be made up by taxation. The American people are not 

 yet so poverty-stricken that they can not afford to protect 

 their song birds. 



Why should not all the people who are benefited by the 

 labors of the insectivorous birds pay something to protect 

 those feathered allies and servants from wicked annihi- 

 lation ? 



GROUNDS FOR SOME HOPEFULNESS. 



There are signs that many of the American people really 

 are awakening to the dangers that threaten their upland 

 game birds — even though that awakening is very sadly be- 

 lated in its arrival. I feel sure that in some districts it 

 has come too late; but better late than never. 



