.

To-day, in the history of wild-life conservation, we have before us the
unusual spectacle of the United States Government taking a serious hand
in a problem which had been found to be too difficult of solution by
the different states working separately. Many of us believe this
predicts a brighter day for the perpetuation of the wild life of our
country.

{190}

CHAPTER X

BIRD RESERVATIONS

The creation of reservations where wild birds can be protected at all
times is a modern idea, brought prominently to public attention by the
efforts of the Audubon Society. The first interest that the United
States Government manifested in the subject was about thirteen years
ago. On May 29, 1901, the legislature of Florida was induced to enact
a statute making it a misdemeanour to kill any non-game birds of the
State with the exception of the Crow and a few other species regarded
by the lawmakers as being injurious to man's interests.

First Federal Bird Reservation--Shortly afterward the Audubon Society
friends employed a man to protect from the raids of tourists and
feather hunters a {191} large colony of Brown Pelicans that used for
nesting purposes a small, muddy, mangrove-covered island in Indian
River on the Atlantic Coast. Soon murmurings began to be heard.
"Pelicans eat fish and should not be protected," declared one Floridan.
"We need Pelican quills to sell to the feather dealers," chimed in
another with a keen eye to the main chance. There was talk of
repealing the law at the next session of the legislature, and the
hearts of the Audubon workers were troubled. At first they thought of
buying the island, so as to be in a position to protect its feathered
inhabitants by preventing trespass. However, it proved to be
unsurveyed Government land, and the idea was suggested of getting the
Government to make a reservation for the protection of the birds. The
matter was submitted to President Roosevelt, who no sooner ascertained
the facts that the land was not suited for agricultural purposes, and
that the Audubon Society would guard it, than with characteristic
directness he issued the following remarkable edict: "It is hereby
ordered that Pelican {192} Island in Indian River is reserved and set
apart for the use of the Department of Agriculture as a preserve and
breeding ground for native birds."

The gist of this order, bearing the authorization of the Secretary of
Agriculture, was quickly painted on a