450 FOREIGN STATUTES. 



hunting seals and sea otter in the Hokkaido. And in such case tlie 

 provisions of the foregoing i^rohibitiou shall not apply. 

 A true translation. 



D. W. Stevens, 



Counsdloy of Legation. 



GREAT BRITAIN AND CANADA. 



A BRIEr SUMMARY OF THE LAWS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN 

 AND IRELAND AND OF THE DOMINION OF CANADA, RELATING TO THE PROTEC- 

 TION OF GAME, BIRDS, AND FISHES. 



Over one hundred statutes have been enacted by the Parliaments 

 of Great Britain and Canada during the last two centuries for the 

 protection of game, wild birds, and hshes. For convenience of treat- 

 ment these statutes may be divided into four groups, as follows: 



First, those which are designed to promote the regular breeding of 

 these wild creatures by tlie establishment of annual close seasons, pub- 

 lic breeding grounds and hatclieries, and other methods. 



Second, tliose statutes which prohibit their destruction by the use 

 of wasteful or dangerous methods and instruments. 



Third, those statutes wliich limit the number of persons authorized 

 to hunt and kill them by the establishment of license systems. 



Fourth, those statutes which prescribe the methods by which such 

 protective regulations shall be enforced. 



I. At the present time in England there are statutes in force prescrib- 

 ing a close season for all kinds of birds and freshwater tish, for nearly 

 all kinds of game, and for many marine hsh. Tlie game laws of England 

 are of very ancient origin, but down to 1800 there was uo time of year 

 duringwhich it was milawful to kill birds notincluded in the(Tame Acts. 

 In consequence of the great decrease of sea birds by th eir bein g killed dur- 

 ing the breeding season, ''The Sea Birds Preservation Act"' was passed 

 in 1869, which established a close time lasting four months (April 1-Aug. 

 1) for thirty-three distinct species of sea birds. 



In 1872 and 1870 similar statutes'^ were passed for the protection of 

 wild land birds. Eighty different species of birds were mentioned in 

 these acts, and a close season of five and a half months prescribed for 

 them. 



In 1880 "The Wild Birds Protection Act"'' was passed, which repealed 

 the three acts above mentioned and prescribed one uniform close season 

 lasting from March 1 to August 1, for all birds whatsoever, in every 

 part of the United Kingdom. Under this act, which is in force at the 

 present time, it is unlawful during the close time prescribed " to shoot 

 or attempt to shoot any wild bird; or to use any boat for shooting or 

 causiug to be shot any wild bird; or to use any lime, trap, simre, or 

 other instrument for taking any wild bird."* It is also illegal under 

 this act, as modified subsequently,^ to sell or to have in one's possession 

 any wild bird, unlawfully killed during the close time, between March 

 15 and August 1. Provision is also made in Section for the trial of 



1 32 aud S3 Vict., c. 17. 



235 anfl 38 Vict., c. 78; 39 and 40 Vict., c. 29. 



•■"43 and 44 Vict., c. 3r>. 



■• Sec. 3. See Suppli'Micut to Okc's "Game Laws," 3d Edit., page 7. 



6 41 aud45 Vict., c. 51. 



