180 MAJOR JOHN F. LACEY 



The period of protection might vary, but the actual time 

 would always be susceptible of proof. 



In this form the proposition is an exceedingly simple 

 one, and that is at least one of its merits. It is easily 

 understood; its purpose is so evidently a good one that 

 public sentiment can readily be rallied around it and with 

 such sentiment success will be assured. The bill I sug- 

 gest is in full accord with the purposes of the Weeks bill, 

 and I submit it to the consideration of the readers of 

 Field and Stream, and to all friends of the birds in Con- 

 gress. 



A BILL TO PROTECT CERTAIN MIGRATORY WILD BIRDS DURING 

 THEIR SPRING MIGRATION 



Be it enacted, By the Senate and House of Represent- 

 atives of the United States of America in Congress as- 

 sembed : 



Section 1. That from and after the passage of this act 

 it shall be unlawful anywhere in the United States or the 

 territories thereof or in the District of Columbia to shoot, 

 trap, snare, capture, injure, or kill any of the following 

 named migratory birds during the period of their north- 

 ern migration in the spring of the year: ducks, geese, 

 brant, swans, rail, snipe, pigeons, doves, woodcock, plover, 

 or other waterfowl commonly classed and known as game 

 birds, whether herein named or not; also robins, blue- 

 birds, woodpeckers, or other insectivorous, migratory 

 wild birds, whether named herein or not. 



Section 2. Any one violating this act shall be guilty 

 of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished 

 by fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200), or by 

 imprisonment not exceeding sixty (60) days. The pos- 

 session of any such birds, or the bodies or parts thereof, 

 during the period of such spring migration, shall be pre- 

 sumptive evidence of the violation of this act as against 

 the person or persons in possession. 



