THE BIRD STUDY BOOK 



already been brought before this tribunal. At 

 this writing the decision has not been rendered. 



Only Bird Treaty in the World. — Early in the his- 

 tory of the operations of this law the possibilities of 

 an adverse decision by the Supreme Court were 

 considered by those interested in the measure, and a 

 plan was found whereby all might not be lost if such 

 a catastrophe should occur. The first movement in 

 this new direction was made by Elihu Root on 

 January 14, 191 3, when he introduced in the Senate 

 a resolution requesting the President to propose to 

 the other governments the negotiation of a conven- 

 tion for the protection of birds. A proposed bird 

 treaty between this country and Canada was then 

 drawn up, and after much effort was brought to a 

 successful issue and was finally ratified by Congress 

 on September 29, 191 6. 



This treaty broadly covers the provisions of the 



Migratory Bird Law in this country, so if the 



Supreme Court declares the latter to be invalid 



the Government still stands committed to the 



[188] 



