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. They all prohibit market 

 hunting or the sale of certain game birds ; and many prohibit 

 export. Practically all require that non-resident hunters shall 

 be licensed and in most States this law applies to residents as 

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

 many 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, game laws has been their lack 

 of uniformity. 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 signifi- 

 cance. Those who kill illegally under such circumstances 





