144 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
We must refer here to the close time for wildfowl. Wild 
birds (including wildfowl) are protected by Acts of Parliament 
(1880 and 1881) in the British Isles, from the first day of 
March to July 31 in each year, both days inclusive. The 
island of St. Kilda is exempt as far as the taking of seafowl 
by the natives is concerned. County Councils have the power 
to make Orders regarding the time certain wild birds may be 
protected, and prohibiting Sunday shooting upon areas within 
their jurisdiction. These Orders, if sanctioned by the Home 
Secretary, become law. Owners and occupiers of land, or 
persons duly and properly authorised by them, may kill 
certain birds (unscheduled birds) during the close season. 
The birds they cannot legally kill are scheduled, and include 
practically all the birds called wildfowl. Since none other 
than owners and occupiers of land, and those duly authorised 
by them, are allowed to shoot the unscheduled birds on their 
own land only, it is illegal for them or other persons to kill 
any wild birds during the close season on the tidal parts of 
foreshores. As the dates commencing and closing the period 
of the year during which wild birds are protected vary in some 
districts according to Orders made by local governing bodies, 
it is wise to ascertain the correct dates before visiting a wild- 
fowl shooting quarter. The Clerk to the Council of the county 
can generally supply the information required. According to 
Acts of Parliament, it is not illegal to kill ordinary wildfowl 
on Sundays; but Orders are in force in some areas prohibiting 
Sunday shooting. Game birds, of course, cannot legally be 
shot on Sundays. Although the Wild Birds Protection Act 
has done much for the birds, the closing of the shooting 
season on March 1 prevents wildfowlers from getting a full 
chance at the birds. True wildfowl, such as brent, widgeon, 
etc., do not breed here; yet they are often more numerous 
with us during March than in any other month of the year. 
No harm would be done by extending the season to the end 
