THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 415 
bounty laws. By 1817 most of the larger game mammals 
and game birds were nearing extermination, and people 
were beginning to shoot Robins, Larks, Snipe, and Wood- 
cock, in place of larger birds. A law was then passed pro- 
tecting these birds from March 1 to July 4, and Partridges 
‘and Quail were protected from March 1 to September 1; 
but this law was nullified locally by town option, for any 
town meeting could annually suspend its operation. 
The most stringent game legislation of the middle nine- 
teenth century period was a series of acts, not for the 
protection of the birds, but for the benefit of people en- 
gaged in netting Wild Pigeons. The penalties for disturb- 
ing Pigeons about net beds were heavier than those for 
merely killing game out of season. They even included a 
term in jail. 
It would be ludicrous, were it not pathetic, that we with- 
hold adequate statutory protection from game birds until 
they are practically exterminated. Protective statutes come 
too late. It is only within recent years, when the Passenger 
Pigeon and Heath Hen have become nearly extinct, that 
statutes protecting them at all times have been enacted and 
retained on the statute books. We have only just succeeded 
(1906) in getting enactments protecting the Wood Duck 
and the Bartramian Sandpiper or Upland Plover at all sea- 
sons. Unless stringent laws can be passed and enforced in 
other States, as well as in Massachusetts, the extinction of 
these birds is even now imminent. 
The game laws of Massachusetts for 1906 protect all “song 
and insectivorous birds,” Doves, Pigeons, Heath Hens, Pin-. 
nated Grouse, Pheasants, Bartramian Sandpiper or Upland 
Plover, Herons, Bitterns, Wood Duck, and most Gulls and 
Terns throughout the year. Other game birds and wild- 
fowl are protected, but inadequately. Eventually the shoot- 
ing season must be shortened. 
Measures and Legislation necessary for the Protection of Game and 
Birds. 
To provide against the extermination of game, there must 
be established throughout the country a series of State res- 
ervations, maintained as places of refuge for game, where 
