-3- 



9-26-30 



First, we can increase the production of ducks in the wild "bj- inaintairk- 

 ing ref\:i^es on their breeding grounds. The Siol-ogical Survey is making p:.-o- 

 gress in that direction as rapidly as possible. 



Second, we can provide leuiding fields for resting and feeding of the 

 birds on their migratory flights. The Survey is working along that line, too. 



Both these are long-time propositions, ^t will ta! a ye-^xs to do mij.ch 

 along that line. The only immediate relief here and now is restriction of 

 the annual kill by hunters. That includes more complete enforcement of the 

 existing law against "j com-nercialized hunting and bird bootlegging, and 

 smaller bags by real sportsmen. A lot is going to depend on the sportsmen 

 thcmsclvos. 



We can rest assured, however, that the experts in the Bureau of Bio- 

 logical Survey will recom-iend only such changes as the scientifically gathered 

 facts cuid good hai'd coraiTion sense seem to dictate, 



Mr, Paul G-. E-edin^ton, Chief of the Biological Survey, says that reports 

 received by him directly during a recent visit to Canada, which is cooperating 

 closely with. the United States in the protection of migratory birds, showed 

 an alsirming condition for the waterfowl on the breeding grounds in Alberta 

 and Saskatchewan as well as in the United States, He has made ga urgent 

 appeal to the sportsmen of the country to recognize the situation now menacing 

 the waterfowl and to be governed thereby in taking ducks and geese during 

 the present hunting season. 



We always have Itaad duck hunting. Let's hope we always shall. In this 

 connection, Mr^ Henderson quoted ne a few linos from a report on a game bill 

 in Ohio in 1857, which read; "the passenger gigeon needs no protection . .. 

 the anipe too, like the pigeon, will take care of itself, and its yearly 

 numbers can not be materially lessened by the gun." 



Now T&iore are those passenger pigeons? The last pigeon died off years 

 ago, and now it is stuffed and in a liuseto, where it is a sad reminder of 

 what has happened to a bird that we thought would take care of itself. 



AJ?NOUNCSIffi:]Tt Our Wilds Man will be back with us two weeks from 

 today. At that time, he will tell us about another of his visits with Uncle 

 Sam*s Hr.turalists, in the United States Department of Agriculture. Soraember 

 the day and hour. 



