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 1 881) 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 i 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 



