268 THE IMPORTANCE OF BIRD LIFE 



had begun to pay attention to the propagation of 

 game. 



Then, in, 1913, the Migratory Bird Act was 

 passed by Congress, and in 1916 the international 

 treaty between Canada and the United States, 

 concerning the protection of migratory birds, 

 was ratified. And finally, from the beginning of 

 the twentieth century down to the present day, 

 there has been given an increased amount of atten- 

 tion to the setting aside of federal and state game 

 preserves. The cry for conservation now — 1922 

 — is making itself widely heard. 



This, in brief, is the evolution of the game-laws 

 of the United States. As soon as a reform was 

 found to be of benefit in one State, it was taken up 

 by others. And thus there has gradually arisen a 

 good workable code applicable to all States, 

 which, though needing in the future the addition 

 of a few minor reforms, — such as the shortening 

 still further of the shooting seasons and a nar- 

 rower limitation of game-bags, — ^now proves equi- 

 table to sportsmen and game alike. The passage 

 of the Lacey Act marked the beginning of federal 

 control of game, a control which later was to 

 prove greatly beneficial to migratory birds. It is 

 doubtful, however, if the Federal G-overnment 

 can ever take over the management of non-migra- 

 tory birds without infringing upon the so-called 

 "rights" of States. But there is now little need 



