CHAPTER XIII 



GAME-LAWS 



1. Laws of England. 2. Laws of America. 3. Evolution ol 

 Game-Laws in America. 4. State Game-Laws. 5. Federal 

 Laws. 6. Effect of Game-Laws upon Birds. 



Laws of England 



The destruction of birds throughout the world 

 for food has led to a wide diversity of opinion in 

 different countries concerning their right to exis- 

 tence. The question involved is a serious one for 

 the birds. Some nations have it that they are 

 the property of the individual citizen; others 

 regard them as owned by the State, or at least 

 held by the State in trust for the people as a 

 whole. It is upon the latter principle that all 

 effective game-law systems have been built up. 



In Italy, where all birds are considered the pri- 

 vate property of any person who desires to take 

 them, the Government is unable to make effective 

 laws for their protection, even if it evinced any 

 wish to do so. As free men the Italians claim the 

 right to kill game whenever they please and wher- 

 ever they please. Any attempt on the part of the 



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