THE BIRD STUDY BOOK 



What was the reason for this great change? Had 

 the killing of wild fowl suddenly lost its attraction for 

 those who had been accustomed to seek pleasure afield 

 with gun and decoys? No, indeed, banish the thought, 

 for it is written that so long as man shall live, Wild 

 Duck shall grace his table and gratify his palate. 



The remarkable changes which had so affected the 

 fortunes of the wild fowl were due to the enactment 

 of a United States law known as the Federal Migra- 

 tory Game Law. Let us see something of this law 

 and of what led to its establishment. 



History of Game Laws. — When the United States 

 of America became a free and independent nation 

 the lawmakers in various commonwealths soon 

 addressed themselves to the task of enacting protec- 

 tive measures for insuring the continuance of the 

 supply of desirable game birds and animals. But as 

 the years went by, and the game showed every indi- 

 cation of continuing to decrease despite the meas- 

 ures that had been adopted for their benefit, other 

 and more stringent game laws were enacted. 

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