516 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 
interest felt in their subjects by the sportsmen and field 
naturalists of that day. Sportsmen had much to say 
on various topics, and naturalists wished to discuss 
many matters which could hardly be brought up in pub- 
lications devoted strictly to science. Many sportsmen 
were careful and accurate observers, possessed of ex- 
perience and education, and writing delightfully. 
Later a large crop of périodicals devoted to these 
sports sprang up, most of which, before very long, 
perished for lack of support, their places being taken 
by others. 
These earliest periodicals, being directed by men of 
foresight and experience, urged upon their readers the 
importance of preserving the natural resources of the 
country. They preached game protection and forest 
protection, and while converting not a few of their 
readers, at first made little or no impression on the 
general public. Such educational work goes slowly at 
first, especially when the teaching tends to limit the 
recreation and pleasures of the public by urging them 
to practice self-control. 
It was thus many years before any definite results 
could be seen from these teachings, and in the mean- 
time the works of destruction went on. Perhaps the 
most radical and most important step ever taken in 
game protection in this country was in the year 1894, 
when Forest and Stream announced its platform plank, 
“Forbid the Sale of Game.” Meantime a constant, 
though slow, improvement was taking place in the 
game laws, and a few sportsmen, by earnest work with 
