WATER-BIRD WAIFS 



discovered that in the hollow trunk were eleven fresh 

 eggs of the Wood Duck. 



That same spring there was a legislative hearing 

 regarding the abolition of spring shooting of wildfowl 

 in the State, the existing law allowing shooting up to 

 the first of May. Speaking for the proposed change, 

 I showed by this instance and others the folly and 

 enormity of a law which allowed these valuable and 

 fast disappearing birds to be shot when they actually 

 had eggs. I am glad to say that the obnoxious law 

 was repealed, and all shooting forbidden after the first 

 of January, which is as it should be. The wildfowl 

 mate very early in the spring, or even in winter. In 

 the spring the mated birds are tame and easily shot. 

 Moreover, they are usually in poor flesh at this time and 

 almost worthless as food. At any rate, it is a case of 

 killing the goose that lays the golden egg, and every 

 bird-lover ought to use all influence against such 

 atrocities as spring shooting, and in every way take a 

 public-spirited stand for the preservation of all our 

 beautiful harmless wild life, the existence of which adds 

 so great charm to the outdoor world. As I heard it 

 well put by a teacher at the legislative hearing, "Why 

 have not we, who are as fond of birds as you hunters, 

 just as much right to demand that we shall have birds 

 to see and study as you to demand that you shall have 

 them to shoot.''" 



There are various other ducks which drop into our 

 ponds and rivers from time to time, especially in 



266 



