14 
Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture. 
under the permits, the breeding and traffic in the birds is 
carried on entirely under the supervision of the several 
States. - ' .• ’* 
The fact that many States have enacted no laws on the 
subject, together with lack of uniformity in the laws of 
other States, has deterred many persons from engaging in 
the business, but it has been demonstrated that many species 
of waterfowl, particularly black and mallard ducks, can be 
raised profitably on lands unsuited to agriculture and 
also in connection with agricultural pursuits. There seems 
to be a growing sentiment in favor of more uniform leg¬ 
islation on the subject in order* that domesticated birds 
may reach the markets with the least inconvenience to the 
breeders, while at the same time the protection of wild birds 
may be safeguarded properly. This could be accomplished 
in a simple and inexpensive manner if a marking and tag¬ 
ging system, similar to one that has been in successful op¬ 
eration in New York State for many years, were adopted. 
Enactment of proper laws by all States, giving full recog¬ 
nition to this legitimate business, would encourage persons 
to propagate wild fowl in captivity, thus materially adding 
to the food supply and affording a pleasant and profitable 
occupation for a large number of people. 
CONTROL OF BIRD DEPREDATIONS. 
Despite the almost general usefulness of birds, certain 
species at times become seriously injurious to crops in some 
localities. Recognizing the importance of controlling such 
depredations, the regulations make suitable provision for the 
issuance of permits to kill any migratory birds which become 
seriously injurious to agricultural or other interests, but the 
birds so killed can not be shipped or sold. 
The control of the depredations of wild ducks in the rice 
fields of California during the fall of 1918 furnishes a strik¬ 
ing example of the successful operation of this provision of 
the law. After a careful investigation of conditions in the 
rice belt, a blanket Federal permit was issued authorizing 
rice growers to kill wild ducks when necessary to protect the 
rice from damage. This permit insured the rice growers 
protection from the destruction threatening their crops, 
while the restrictions carried in the permit regarding ship¬ 
ment and sale afforded the birds ample protection. 
