privileges which
they have once enjoyed.

In fact, as the committee waited, the sky began rapidly to fill with
interrogation points; for it has ever been the case that the
dissatisfied ones of earth are louder in their objections than are the
satisfied ones in their commendations.

As a matter of fact, the regulations on the whole were remarkable for
their clearness, directness, and fairness. They came nearer being
formed for the benefit of the birds instead of for the pleasure and
convenience of the hunters, than any general far-reaching
bird-protective measure, which has been enacted in this country.

For the purpose of the regulations, migratory game birds were defined
as Ducks, Geese, Swans, Rails, Coots, Pigeons, Cranes, and shore birds,
which included Plover, Snipe, Woodcock, and Sandpipers. Migratory
insectivorous birds were enumerated as Thrushes, Orioles, Larks,
Swallows, Wrens, {183} Woodpeckers, and all other perching birds that
feed entirely or chiefly on insects.

Having thus conveniently classified migratory birds into two easily
comprehensible and distinguishable groups, the way was open to deal
with them separately and distinctively. Therefore, after declaring it
to be illegal to kill any bird of either class between sunset and
sunrise, the regulations went on to state that insect-eating birds
shall not be killed in any place or in any manner, even in the daytime.

Among other things this provision, by one stroke, completed the
campaign which the Audubon Society had been waging for long years on
behalf of the Robin. In Maryland, North Carolina, Mississippi,
Louisiana and Tennessee, the Robin-potpie-loving inhabitants must in
future content themselves with such game birds as Quail, Grouse, Wild
Turkeys, and Ducks. The life of Sir Robin Redbreast has now been
declared to be sacred everywhere. He and his mate are to dwell beneath
the protection of the strong arm of the United States Government.

{184} Another feature of the Audubon work was also completed by this
section of the new regulations. This is the safeguarding of all song
and insect-eating birds in the States of Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Utah,
Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, and New Mexico, constituting the group of
states whose legislatures had thus far withstood the importunities of
the Audubon workers to extend protection to such birds.

Regulation Number Four provided for an absolute closed hunting season
on sixty-two species of water