46 Decrease of Birds 



Make it a chain gang offense to kill any bird at any season, 

 1: High non-resident hunting license, 1. 



A Discussion of Some Suggestions Given by Observers for 

 the Better Protection of Birds 



The three most important suggestions given in the above 

 table are: 1. Education of the masses as to the value of 

 birds. 2. Uniform game legislation. 3. Paid officers to 

 enforce the law. 



Education 



Thirty-three observers report education as the most vital 

 need in solving the important problem of bird protection. 

 The suggestions made for effecting this are: schools, news- 

 papers, lectures, bulletins and discussion and agitation of 

 the subject whenever and wherever possible. Mr. Neils 

 Christensen, Beaufort, sums up the matter thus: ''Edu- 

 cate the people. As soon as they know the facts they will 

 demand laws and their enforcement. ' ' A particularly 

 valuable suggestion is made by Mr. Karl Dargan: "Farm- 

 ers should teach negroes the value of birds. ' ' Mr. F. L. 

 Willcox, Florence, reports: "Negroes, small boys and 

 aliens know no difference between game and non-game 

 birds.' ' Mr. P. V. Moore, Spartanburg, suggests: "A 

 campaign of education showing farmers the economic 

 value of birds as insect destroyers.' ' Mr. C. J. Epps, 

 Horry, suggests: "Have the public schools especially in 

 the country teach children the value of birds." In some 

 States it has been found that even the game wardens did 

 not know the game from the non-game birds. 



The game warden department is supported by the game 

 protection fund, but not one dollar of the State's money is 

 being expended for the education of the people in bird 

 protection, so that they will hold up the hands of the 

 chief game wardens and his deputies in the performance 

 of their duties. Because of this the usefulness of the 

 State game department is largely nullified. Were it not 

 for a few public spirited individuals working mostly thru 



