THE DISAPPEARANCE OF WILD LIFE 59 



shooting at or killing wild trukey on their roosts at any time 

 should be prohibited. 



As before stated, the common dove is one of the most valuable 

 game birds in Texas, and should be given the same protection as 

 the quail. 



The present daily bag limits should be reduced. 



The English sparrow is a nuisance, and steps should immedi- 

 ately be taken to exterminate these pests before they become a 

 plague. 



Another very important and necessary amendment to the pres- 

 ent Texas law, which should by all means be adopted as soon 

 as possible, is the granting of permits to the field agents of our 

 scientific institutions,* and other responsible persons engaged in 

 bird studies, allowing them to procure specimens for this pur- 

 pose. This would enable the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture through the Biological Survey to continue their valuable 

 work and their important investigations of the economic value 

 and use of wild birds and animals in this State, and their relations 

 to our agricultural, horticultural and livestock industries. All 

 model game and bird laws grant these permits under proper 

 restrictions, and a number of good reasons can be given why it 

 is desirable to do so. 



One other thing that Texas really needs is a live, active associa- 

 tion for the protection of birds, with a well organized member- 

 ship in all parts of the State, powerful and influential enough 

 to send a strong representation to Austin when the legislatures 

 are in session, to look after the interests of the non-game as well 

 as the game birds, and the preservation of all other useful wild 

 life ; and for the purpose of assisting and co-operating with pro- 

 fessional sportsmen in getting reasonable laws enacted and 

 amendments adopted with this object in view. Whenever State 

 legislatures meet, representatives of the gun clubs, sportsmen's 

 associations, and the gun and ammunition manufacturers are 

 always on hand to look after their several interests, and it is 

 high time that the interests of vanishing wild life should also 

 be represented on such occasions. Persons who honestly differ 



*In reply to a request for a permit to collect birds and eggs for the 

 Museum of the Scientific Society of San Antonio, Mr. Will W. Wood. 

 Game, Fish and Oyster Commissioner, wrote, "In answer to yours * 

 I beg to say that the game laws prohibit the catching or taking of birds 

 for any purpose and I am unable to grant you permission requested to 

 get these birds for your Museum. ' ' — Editor. 



