272 
FOREST AND STREAM 
For National Co-Operation 
Haskell Tells Conservation Commission That Uniform Laws Between United States and Canada Are As 
Necessary As Between Individual States — His Address in Full 
William S. Haskell, addressing the Conserva¬ 
tion Commission recently in session in Canada, 
discussed the game law situation in this country 
and advocated co-operative legislation between 
this country and Canada. 
Address of Wm. S. Haskell. 
The most important wild life protective meas¬ 
ure ever enacted is the term applied to the Weeks- 
McLean Migratory Bird Law, passed by Congress 
of the United States during the early days of 
March, 1913. By it all migratory birds were 
placed under the control of the Federal Govern¬ 
ment, and the Department of Agriculture was 
authorized to make proper regulations for their 
protection. 
On October 1st, 1913, President Wilson issued 
a proclamation by which the regulations prepared 
by the department became effective and since then 
the law has been operative. 
Canada benefits even more than the United 
States by this law, as it protects the birds which 
breed in Canada during their journey north in 
the Spring to their breeding grounds. 
A prominent writer has referred to these bird* 
as being “loaned” to the United States by Can¬ 
ada. In the past this loan has been returned 
without interest and less a very considerable part 
of the principal. Spring shooting in the United 
States has been chiefly responsible. Many of the 
states, whose people are more advanced in game 
protection, have for some time prohibited Spring 
shooting, but the failure of others to do the same 
and the lack of uniformity of state laws, has 
rendered this partial prohibition ineffective 
Spring shooting is particularly destructive be¬ 
cause mated birds are killed. 
Under the new Federal law, Spring shooting ii 
prohibited; insectivorous birds are protected at 
all times; night shooting is forbidden and cer¬ 
tain portions of two of the largest rivers which 
constitute highways for the birds in their migra¬ 
tions, are made refuges. 
Canadian farmers know the value of insectivo¬ 
rous birds in protecting their crops and trees. In 
some of the provinces the tent caterpillars have 
recently caused much damage. These constitute 
the principal food of some of the insectivorous 
birds. The decrease in the number of these birds 
means a consequent increase of this pest, and the 
damage done by it. 
Game birds are a valuable asset to Canada not 
only because they constitute a valuable food sup¬ 
ply, but also because the sale of licenses to hunt 
them, brings a substantial revenue to the various 
provinces. 
Hon. George Shires, 3d, now a director of the 
American Game Protective Association, was the 
author of the first migratory bird bill, and his 
plan was embodied in the present law. It was 
eight years after he introduced his bill and 
brought the matter to the attention of Congress 
and of the public, before final action was had. 
On its organization in 1911, the American Game 
Protective Association commenced a vigorous 
campaign in favor of the proposed law. Under 
its leadership the people of the United States ral¬ 
lied nobly to the support of the measure and the 
interest thus aroused finally resulted in a success¬ 
ful conclusion. The benefits which will be de¬ 
rived from this measure, obtained only after such 
a long, uphill fight, will accrue to the people of 
Canada as well as to those of the United States. 
Canadians should interest themselves in assuring 
the permanency of this law. 
Last July the United States Senate passed the 
McLean resolution requesting the President to 
negotiate conventions with the other powers of 
the world for the protection of birds. The De¬ 
partment of State was instructed to draft a pro¬ 
posed treaty to be negotiated with Great Britain, 
with the object of further protecting the birds 
which migrate between Canada and the United 
States. 
At the request of the Department of Agricul¬ 
ture, to which the matter was referred by the 
State Department, I made suggestions for a draft 
of the proposed treaty. These included the sub¬ 
stance of this Migratory Bird Law, also a provi¬ 
sion for the extension of the refuge system, 
which has proved so successful, both in Canada 
and the United States, in conserving wild life. 
By correspondence with the game protectionists 
in the various provinces of Canada, I learned that 
the general plan met with their approval. 
The Commission of Conservation, consisting of 
representatives from each province, and engaged 
in conserving the natural resources of Canada, 
might well consider the importance of migratory 
bird protection and the benefits to the people of 
Canada of such a treaty. 
A law may be repealed or set aside by Court 
action. A treaty cannot be nullified by the courts, 
nor abrogated except by mutual consent. 
If the Dominion Government is assured that 
the provinces approve, jt will undoubtedly favor 
the making of such a treaty by Great Britain 
This will greatly facilitate the matter and will 
undoubtedly induce prompt action in concluding 
the arrangement. 
Wild life conservation is receiving more atten¬ 
tion in the United States to-day than ever before. 
A reference to some of the methods employed 
may be of interest. 
The United States has now almost one hundred 
national reservations set apart as refuges. During 
the last ten years there have been established by 
executive order, about sixty-four bird refuges and 
about thirty-four national monuments where no 
shooting or trapping of game is allowed. Many 
of the states have dedicated lands for similar 
use. Pennsylvania leads in this regard. It has 
about a million acres of forest lands called State 
Forest Reservations, scattered through twenty- 
six of its sixty-seven counties. Five great game 
preserves or refuges have been established in 
them. In the center of a great forest preserve 
the State Game Commission has selected a spe¬ 
cially desirable tract of woodland and has marked 
its boundary by the stringing of a single heavy 
fence wire surrounding the entire refuge. With¬ 
in the boundary wire all wild life has an absolute 
sanctuary. In the open season when hunting is 
allowed in the State Forest Preserves, it is pro¬ 
hibited here. In consequence, the surrounding 
region now teems with wild life. These refuges 
are to be increased, so that in time each county 
will have one. 
New York has set aside for such reservations, 
the Adirondack and Catskili Parks, containing 
about one million three hundred thousand acres 
of forest lands, with numerous lakes and streams, 
but as yet has not adopted the refuge system. At 
an early day, a bill, granting power to the Con¬ 
servation Commission of that state to establish 
refuges, is to be introduced. 
Montana and Wyoming have similar preserves. 
Louisiana and Florida have large areas devoted 
to such refuges. 
In many states, clubs and individuals have ac¬ 
quired, either by sale or lease, land which is used 
for similar purposes. On most of them no shoot¬ 
ing is allowed; on some, game is propagated and 
shooting is allowed in season. 
Game Farm and Wild Fowl Refuge of American Game Protective and Propagation Association 
at South Carver, Mass. 
