PRESERVATION OF INSECTIVOROUS BIRDS. $c 



The note is as follows :— 



This is ;i complete list of the mammalia usually denominated "game." It 

 includes the Hare, Pig, Deer, Antelope, Gaur, and Wild liutfalo. 



The dates for the close season - i opposite to the names of each species applies 

 only to the Hinds, Does, females, and their young. The males require no close 

 season except as regards autlered deer. In their ease a close season is necessary 

 for the full development of the horns, which are usually shed and renewed once a 

 year. 



I would therefore venture to propose the following dates for the close season of 



such deer ; — 



o S Gouni 1st May to 31st October. 



■ 2S $ Sambur 1st April to 3lst Qctober. 



Stag ... ... Chitul 1st September to 1st March. 



It is during the above given periods that the majority of the stags shed and 



renew their horns. The periods during which the stags are in their best condition 



for spurt are, as regards the — 



Gouni or Barasinirha — between the 1st November and the 30th April-, about 



this latter date stags which have shed their horns may frequently 

 be seen. 



Sambur — between the 1st November and the end of February ; after which 



date they begii) to shed their horns. 



Ohi'ul — between the 1st March and the loth August-, after which latter date 



the stags which are worth shooting begin to shed their horns. 



I would also venture to suggest that all Shooting Licenses given out under the 



Rules recently framed under the Forest Act, have now a close season for the 



autlered deer inserted as a condition to be observed by sportsmen. And also that 



the shooting or killing in any way the Hinds, Does, females and their young, of 



any species specified in the List D be strictly prohibited to sportsmen taking out 



Shooting Licenses in the Government Reserved Forests. 



5. It appears to the Chief Commissioner that what is required is to prevent 

 the slaughter of insectivorous birds at all times and to allow the slaughter of game 

 and edible birds at row save the close season. Subject to further consideration 

 hereafter, Mr. Mackenzie proposes to protect absolutely Herons and Egrets, which 

 are only eaten by a few low castes, and which are destroyed solely for the sake of 

 their plumage, and that chiefly at the breeding season. 



Sir. Thompson's lists do not refer to migratory birds, chieflv of the water and 

 marsh or shore varieties which visit these Provinces only in the cold weather, 

 There is of course no necessity for protecting these, and this will be made clear in 

 the orders issued. 



6. As regards mammals, the Chief Commissioner does not propose to protect 

 ' pig, 5 which is extremely mischievous to crops, nor does he think it worth while 

 to protect hare. In the case of deer and antelope, though Mr. Thompson would 

 allo.v the shooting of does and hinds at times other than the close season, the 

 Chief Commissioner proposes for the present to protect the females and fawns of 



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