40 Decrease oj Birds 



the most valuable weed seed destroyers, and South Caro- 

 lina should follow the good example set by Georgia and 

 speedily enact proper legislation for their protection. 



Knowledge of, Respect for, and Enforcement of the 

 Game Laws 



The replies to requests for information concerning the 

 knowledge of, respect for and enforcement of the game 

 laws have been classified thus: 



While the laws are very probably well known to all true 

 sportsmen, it is almost absolutely certain that they are 

 unknown not only to the vast majority of those who contri- 

 bute to the many ways of destroying bird life but to the 

 public at large. A reference to the summary of causes of 

 decrease of bird life on a preceding page leads to this con- 

 clusion. 



A public uninformed as to the provisions of State and 

 National game laws can hardly be expected to demand the 

 enforcement of these laws, or to support the game war- 

 dens in the discharge of their duties. Many persons who 

 make an honest effort to acquaint themselves with the 

 State game laws are discouraged by the barriers presented 

 by the lack of uniformity of these laws. One report 

 reads: ''The laws are respected by the better element of 

 gunners where known and understood." 



Of the one hundred and thirty-three who responded to 

 that portion of the question in regard to the enforcement 

 of the laws, eighteen report the laws enforced; fifty report 

 enforcement to a certain extent only; sixty-five report 

 non-enforcement. 



As regards enforcement, the answers which have been 

 placed under the head, "To a certain extent only," include 

 such terms as "fairly well," "reasonably well, " "per- 



