26 Decrease of Birds 



clubs of the country no dove shooter can enter, 1 and in 

 others, no man is eligible for membership who uses a 

 pump or an automatic gun. 2 With Mr. Forbush, the true 

 sportsman recognizes that even a bird has some rights, 

 and he is willing to give it, at least a chance for its life. 

 True sportsmen observe the spirit as well as the 

 letter of the law. They recognize and respect the rights 

 which others share in the birds equally with their own: 

 The rights of the agriculturist, nature lover, student and 

 teacher. True sportsmen are found in the ranks of con- 

 servationists, for not only do they wish the supply to last 

 as long as they live, but they wish to hand down the heri- 

 tage of wild life unimpaired to future generations. 



Hunting Out of Season 



That birds suffer an all-the-year-round persecution is 

 shown by the reports of sixty-nine observers, who con- 

 sider hunting out of season a great factor in the reduction 

 of bird life. So-called sportsmen, negroes, pot-hunters and 

 factory men and boys are mentioned as offending in this 

 respect. Most of these persons are uninformed as to the 

 value of birds and the provisions of the game laws. Many 

 do not know the game from the nongame birds. 



Mr. E. C. Epps, Williamsburg, considers hunting out of 

 season the greatest cause of decrease. Mr. H. M. Stuart, 

 Beaufort, writes: "Negroes are especially destructive to 

 non-game birds and out of season. ' ' Mr. F. M. Weston, 

 Jr., Charleston, reports: "Wild Turkeys and Doves dimin- 

 ishing from being continuously hunted, and out of season." 

 Mr. A. T. Wayne, Charleston, adds as a cause of decrease: 

 "Hunting Wild Turkeys and Woodcock out of season by 

 white men. ' ' 



In this connection, Mr. J. G. Chafee, Aiken, reports: 

 "The greatest enemy of the Bob-white is the rabbit hunter 

 who hunts at all seasons. During the nesting season and 

 after the young are hatched, the woods are full of rabbit 



lHornaday, W. T., Our Vanishing Wild Life, p. 106. 

 2Ibid, p. 152. 



