SOME OCTOBER BIRDS. 



201 



en from our waters. Any attempt to stop this shooting through an appeal 

 to the Massachusetts Legislature, would probably prove ineffectual, yet it 

 would seem that even the sportsmen themselves ought to perceive that, as 

 birds are growing fewer year by year, some measures ought to be taken for 

 their protection. If a few of the rivers in which the birds resort, could be 

 kept as sanctuaries for them , no shooting being allowed there, the ducks 

 would speedily learn to recognize these places of safety, and would visit them 

 in numbers and thus be again attracted to our coast. 



A few years ago, the proprieter of a hotel, which stands on Indian River, 

 Florida, a man wise for his day and generation, prohibited all duck shooting 

 from his water front, which was somewhat extensive. As a result, the true 

 coots and the S3aup ducks cam3 to the place in considerable numbers, and 

 became so tame that they would often sit upon the banks of the water, re- 

 gardless of the passing guests, who frequently walked within a few feet of 

 them. 



Fig. 94. 





White-bellied Swallow. 



