282 BIRDS IN THEIR RELATIONS TO MAN. 



and woodcock and plover out of the State. Public opinion 

 favorable to the protection of game has been steadily growing. 

 A State game and fish commission, having game interests in 

 charge, superintends the propagation and distribution of game 

 and prosecutes offenders. This, in a nut-shell, is a history 

 of game-bird relations in New Hampshire. 



In other States the story runs much the same. A pro- 

 nounced falling off in the number of game-birds is acknowl- 

 edged everywhere. Some States have been more prompt with 

 measures to prevent it, some more tardy. New York passed 

 a law protecting heath-hens in 1791, but so late as 1874 only 

 twenty-four States and territories had game laws. At present 

 every State offers some protection. Nineteen prohibit market 

 hunting or the sale of game at all times ; forty prohibit export ; 

 fifteen require that non-residents shall procure gun licenses, 

 and several of them make the law apply to residents as well, 

 though to them licenses are issued at a nominal rate. In 

 twelve States there are laws limiting the number of birds that 

 may be killed by one person in a day. Although the need of 

 game protection was a long time in impressing the public 

 mind, when once aroused, the sentiment in its favor rapidly 

 gained strength. There is scarcely a legislature that is not 

 asked to do something to help it along. 



One of the greatest difficulties in the way of a general en- 

 dorsement of, and respect for, the laws as they now stand is 

 the lack of uniformity which they present. One does not 

 mind refraining so much when everybody else has to refrain 

 too ; but when he sees his neighbors doing what he is enjoined 

 not to do, there is a temptation to rebel. When there is a 

 variance in the laws of the adjoining States there is sure to 

 be poaching near the boundary. One State allows spring 

 shooting of water-fowl, the next prohibits it, yet they have a 

 continuous coast-line or are separated by a river. There is 

 injustice when slaughter must cease at an arbitrary line which 

 has no natural significance. Those who kill illegally under 



