BIOLOGICAL SURVEY. 245 



tained disclosing a systematic plan to violate the law in shipping 

 ducks to market in the adjoining State of Illinois. The evidence 

 showed not merely a violation of the Lacey Act, but a conspiracy to 

 accomplish the shipment of ducks out of the State, and the shippers 

 were so charged. This is one of the most important cases which has 

 developed under tliis act, and the first in which e\"idence of a con- 

 spiracy has been obtained. In the event of a conviction the deterrent 

 eifects are likely to be far-reaching. 



Recent occurrences in Arkansas, one of the most important centers 

 for the shipment of waterfowl in the Mississippi Valley, are likely 

 to curtail very decidedly future shipments of game from the sunken 

 lands in the northeastern corner of the State. The State supreme 

 court has decided that a local law applicable to Mississippi County, 

 under which shipments of waterfowl have hitherto been made, was 

 unconstitutional, and that the State law prohibiting export of game 

 was applicable to the counties generally. At the recent session of the 

 legislature provision was made for the first time for the appointment 

 of a State game commission to enforce State laws. 



The State of Illinois has also amended its game law prohibiting 

 sale of game, whether taken in or out of the State, thus closing the 

 important market of Chicago. These changes will greatly facilitate 

 the work of the department in the Mississippi Valley and make 

 much more difficult the evasion of State and Federal laws regulating 

 shipment of waterfowl. 



INFORMATION CONCERNING GAME LAWS. 



The index to game legislation has been kept up to date and memo- 

 randa of the important game laws prepared. The annual directory 

 of game officials and the summary of game laws for 1914 were issued, 

 and also four sets of ready-reference card maps containing informa- 

 tion in condensed form of particular interest to various State game 

 officials. 



FEDERAL MIGRATORY BIRD LAW. 



Under the Federal migratory -bird law, approved by the President 

 March 4, 1913, the regulations fixing close seasons on migratory game 

 birds were prepared and promulgated October 1, 1913, and amended 

 October 1, 1914. During the year the number of district inspectors 

 was increased from 15 to 17, and the warden force from 172 to 196. 

 Cooperation with the game departments of most States has resulted 

 in the better enforcement of State laws and Federal regulations. 

 Since the law went into effect 470 alleged violations have been 

 reported by district inspectors and Federal wardens, but in many 

 cases the evidence was too meager to justify prosecution; 53 cases 

 have been referred to the Department of Justice for action; fines 

 were imposed in 12 cases, 9 cases were dismissed, and the remainder 

 are still pending. In two United States district courts the law 

 has been held unconstitutional: (1) In the eastern district of Ar- 

 kansas, May 1914, in the case of United States v. Harvey C. Shauver, 

 charged with violating Regulation No. 9; and (2) in the district 

 of Kansas, on March 20, 1915, in the case of United States v. George 

 L. McCuUagh, charged with violating the same regulation. 



