404 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



General Bird Laws. 



One of the most important statutes for the general protection of 

 birds and game was passed in 1899, making "the Lord's Day" a close 

 season, and imposing on the lawbreaker the penalties incurred by 

 breaking the game laws in addition to those usually inflicted for in- 

 fractions of the "Sunday laws." This statute was revised in 1902, 

 and in 1904 it was made still more effective and severe by providing 

 a penalty of $10 to $20 in addition to usual fines for hunting or killing 

 game in close season. 



The Legislature of 1907 passed a law requiring all non-resident 

 hunters, except those who were members of shooting clubs already 

 incorporated and established in the State, to pay a license of $10 for 

 the privilege of hunting in the State. This is a good law with the 

 exception of the exemption. 



Fines and Forfeitures. 

 Beginning in 1S18, with a fine of $1 or $2 for the killing of each 

 bird in defiance of the law, penalties have been increased or decreased 

 from year to year. The general tendency, however, has been to 

 increase the fines. The maximum of $100 per bird has been reached 

 in the case of the heath hen. The foreigner or non-resident who 

 hunts without a license may be fined $50. The same fine may be 

 required of any person who kills a wood duck or from any one who 

 uses a live decoy for black ducks in Nantucket. In general, a fine 

 of $20 is imposed for each game bird killed out of season, but $10 

 only is required in the case of each shore bird, and the same amount 

 in that of each other undomesticated bird or each nest or egg of such 

 bird as is protected at all times. 



The Enforcement of the Bird Laws. 



Until the year 1886 our game laws were rather ineffective, for 

 there was no one who considered it his duty to enforce them. In 

 1886 the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries were given by law the 

 powers of game commissioners. This was the most important step 

 taken for the protection of birds and game up to that time, for it 

 assured, in some measure, at least, the enforcement of the law. The 

 powers and duties of the commissioners have been extended from 

 time to time, and their efficiency has been increased. 



In 1894 a resolve was enacted providing for the introduction of 

 Mongolian pheasants. The species introduced was the ring-neck. In 

 1895 the commissioners were authorized to propagate birds and animals, 

 and the sum of $500 was appropriated for the purpose of purchasing and 

 propagating pheasants. While the introduction of the pheasants may 

 not have been an unmixed blessing, the experience gained in propa- 

 gating birds will be of value to the Commonwealth, for unquestionably 



