water fish and I have obtained the opinion of some of 

 the leading experts, some of them residents of Connecti- 

 cut as to present conditions and future policy. These 

 opinions are unanimous on three points. 



1. That there is practically no good fresh water fish- 

 ing left. 



2. That the experiments in introducing foreign fish 

 have failed. 



3. That the present laws are too liberal if the fish sup- 

 ply of the State is to be restored. 



Connecticut is the third most densely populated state 

 in the Union containing 278 people per square mile. 

 Massachusetts first with 429 per square mile and New 

 Jersey second with 419. Connecticut has over three mil- 

 lion acres and it is estimated that approximately one- 

 third or one million acres are wild or semi-wild land, 

 more uncultivated land than she had one hundred years 

 ago. The area includes the freshwater ponds of which 

 there are 918 with a total surface area of 43,497 acres 

 and 7,619 miles of streams and rivers. In addition to 

 this Connecticut has 150 miles of coast line and the three 

 most important rivers, the Housatonic, Connecticut and 

 Thames, run from north to south, furnishing ideal feeding 

 lanes or routes for the migratory birds. 



Connecticut's population is concentrated in cities and 

 small manufacturing towns to an extent not found in any 

 other state in the Union with the possible exception of 

 Massachusetts. Hence, the importance of teaching the 

 people of Connecticut, young and old, the beauties and 

 benefits of the country that they may find the recreations 

 they need in park, field and forest and on the water. A 

 love of nature insures both health and happiness. It 

 teaches people simple living. It has a moral and ethical 

 value in the life of a community, state or nation, that is 

 incalculable. 



No one questions the enormous value of insectivorous 

 birds to agriculture. No one any longer questions the de- 

 sirability of enticing the working people afield for their 

 holidays. Whycannot Connecticut lead instead of being 

 at the tail end of the procession in the movement toward 

 beautifying and restocking her waste areas with wild life, 

 the balance of which man invariably upsets when left to 

 himself to congregate and kill indiscriminately. 



The Fish and Game Commission has been composed of 

 one representative from each of the eight counties since 

 1913, thus making a Commission of eight. The Com- 



