268 



ORDERS OF BIRDS— DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS 



grounds, or in occupancy of them, would be 

 immune from the attacks of gunners. In some 

 states (of which New York now is one!) the 

 laws prevent "spring shooting," but in others 

 it does not. In view of the changes for the bet- 

 ter that are being made year by year, it is best 

 not to particularize; but it is surprising that in 

 some states a prolonged fight should be neces- 

 sary to secure laws prohibiting spring shooting! 

 The need for absolute protection for birds while 



Atlantic coast and the Mississippi valley, 

 literally teem with roaring guns and flying 

 shot, and to-day the wonder is not that the 

 wild-fowl have become "so scarce," but rather 

 that so many have escaped slaughter! In view 

 of the enormous annual output of new gunners, 

 guns and ammunition, nothing but the strongest 

 kind of public sentiment for bird-protection, 

 backed by stringent laws, rigidly enforced, can 

 save the ducks, geese and swans of North Amer- 



Male. 



THE MALLARD DUCK. 



they are breeding, or about to breed, is so im- 

 perative that it is difficult to see how any 

 sensible and honest person can oppose the 

 •enactment of laws to provide it. The killing 

 of wild-fowl in spring, or at any time during 

 their breeding-season, should everywhere be 

 made a penal offence. 



During the autumn migration southward, the 

 flocks run a gantlet of guns a thousand miles 

 long. Whenever and wherever a duck or goose 

 alights to rest and feed, the guns begin to roar. 

 The more important migration routes, like the 



ica from becoming as extinct as the great auk 

 and the dodo. 



To-day, we are advised that automatic re- 

 peating shot-guns are about to be put upon the 

 market, — to hasten the total extinction of all 

 our game-birds. Their manufacture, sale and 

 use should be rigidly prevented by law. 



North America is — or was — particularly rich 

 in species of birds belonging to the Order Ana- 

 tidac, and once was richly stocked with indi- 

 viduals. Even yet, a very interesting remnant 

 remains. Of the whole assemblage of species, 



