16 Decrease of Birds 



have a large area of land upon which I am protecting the 

 birds for a small gun club. We have all the birds we 

 could expect. In the meantime we kill very few during 

 the season. ' ' 



Summary of Reports Showing Increase 



It is of value to study in detail those reports which show 

 a local increase, in order that we may, if possible, find out 

 the causes and apply them to the sections in which bird 

 life has been reduced. Ten reports from eight counties 

 show increase: Three from Charleston, and one from each 

 of the following counties: Colleton, Dorchester, Jasper, 

 Kershaw, Orangeburg and Union. 



Capt. Robt. Magwood, Charleston, writes: "Birds have 

 been on the increase in this county for the past two years. 

 Before this, decrease had been gradual for the last forty 

 years, but more so last ten years. There are one-half as 

 •many as fifteen years ago. White Herons, Pehcans, 

 Shearwaters and Gulls have increased from protection 

 largely during breeding season. Spanish Curlew all gone. 

 Laws fairly well observed." 



Mr. L. A. Beckman from the same county says; "Birds 

 of all kinds decreased rapidly up to four years ago, when 

 private landowners began to enforce the laws on their own 

 Jands, and the people have been educated to value birds. 

 Now they have begun to increase. One-half as many as 

 fifteen years ago, when D. M. Mackintosh began to buy 

 and. ship feathers. American Egret, Wood Duck and 

 Quail have increased on property of Santee Gun Club, 

 caused by protection. Some species of shore-birds have 

 become extinct. Private landowners have prohibited to a 

 large extent shooting on their property. The work of the 

 Audubon Society, thru Mr. James Henry Rice, did much 

 to educate the people, especially the children as to the 

 value of birds and now you rarely see a sling-shot in the 

 hands of boys. Laws are enforced by private landowners 

 but not by game wardens." 



Mr. T. J. Simons, Charleston, reports: "There is a de- 

 cided improvement. Increase in sea-birds is due to the 



