B I RD- PROTECTI V E LAWS 



tions which, in many ways, have revolutionized 

 shooting in the United States. 



These were printed in pamphlet form and dis- 

 tributed widely; for before they could have the 

 effect of laws it was necessary that they should be 

 advertised for a period of at least three months in 

 order to give all dissatisfied parties an opportunity 

 to be heard. 



The whole idea of the Government taking over the 

 matter of protecting migratory birds, as well as the 

 startling character of some of the regulations pro- 

 mulgated by the committee was justly expected to 

 bring forth either great shouts of approbation or a 

 storm of disapproval, and possibly both sounds 

 might be heard. As long experience has shown that 

 it is necessary to have public opinion approve of a 

 game law if it is to be effective, one can well under- 

 stand that, following the mailing of the circular of 

 rules, these gentlemen of the committee stood with 

 hand to brow and anxiously scanned the distant 

 horizon. Nor did they have long to wait before 

 [i8i] 



