CHRONOLOGY OF IMPORTANT EVENTS IN 



WILD LIFE PROTECTION AND 



EXTERMINATION 



From January 1, 1917 to January 1, 1920 



1917 



Jan. 1 — During the past sixteen months an awakening to the needs 

 of wild life, and to duty in its protection, has taken place in 

 New Mexico. Nine new protective associations have been formed, 

 and four have been successfully promoted in Arizona. The stock- 

 men of the Southwest have been aroused and enlisted in the 

 general cause, and altogether an ideal spirit has been created 

 for the real protection and increase of game. Much national 

 work has been accomplished. 



Sage grouse, bob-white, sheep and antelope are protected for 

 long periods. The U. S. Forest Service has exercised a very 

 powerful influence in behalf of wild life. 



Feb. 14. — To the surprise and consternation of the League of Ohio 

 Sportsmen, the Ohio legislature swept the quail shooters off 

 their feet by placing the quail in the list of song-birds, for per- 

 manent protection. The vote in the State Senate was 31 to 1, 

 and in the House of Representatives 120 to 14. This result was 

 largely due to a series of powerful and truth-telling cartoons 

 by W. A. Ireland, published in the Columbus Dispatch. 



Feb. 26. — By act of Congress, Mount McKinley National Park was 

 created, in Alaska, north of Mount McKinley, with an area of 

 2200 square miles. 



March 5. — The legislature of Manitoba enacted a law providing an 

 indefinite close season for all prairie chickens, grouse and quail 

 of that province. While this period is indefinite, there seems to 

 be an expectation that within a comparatively few years it will 

 be possible to re-open the shooting of all the species now pro- 

 tected. [In 1920 it was reported that a marked increase in 

 prairie chickens was apparent.] 



Mar. 5. — The 527 skins of the greater bird of paradise seized at 

 Laredo, Texas, arrived at the Zoological Park, a portion of 

 them were immediately placed on exhibition, and many were dis- 

 tributed to museums for exhibition, in accordance with the author- 

 ity conferred by the Treasury Department. 



