602 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



October, and concludes with the 1st of February. The 

 partridge season commences on the 1st of September, 

 and ends the 1st of February. Bustard shooting com- 

 mences the 1st of September, and concludes the 1st 

 of March. The mere possession of any of these birds 

 at any other period of the year (except such as may 

 be kept tame) subjects the party (1 & 2 Will. IV), 

 on conviction before two justices, to a penalty of not 

 more than twenty shillings for every head of game so 

 killed or taken, as the said justices shall think fit, to- 

 gether with the costs of the conviction. 



In new forests, the season for heath-fowl does not 

 commence till the 1st of September. 



Upon grouse- mountains, or wastes, the occupier is 

 forbidden to burn heath, furze, &c. between the 2d of 

 February and the 24th of June, upon pain of being 

 committed to the house of correction, there to be 

 whipped and kept to hard labour for a period not 

 exceeding one month, nor less than ten days. 



The taking of wild ducks, teal, widgeons, &c. be- 

 tween the 1st of June and the 1st of October, renders 

 the party liable to a penalty of five shillings 

 (9 Anne, 25, and 10 Geo. II. c. 32). 



The season for hare hunting is from Michaelmas 

 till Candlemas ; but there does not appear to *be any 

 penalty attached to the infraction of this law. 



For tracing hares in the snow a penalty of twenty 

 shillings is inflicted ( 1 Jac. I. c. 27), and the taking 

 them in snares or gins is punished in the same man- 

 ner. The 22d and 23d Car. 11. inflicts a penaly of 

 ten shillings for this offence. These acts, however, 

 are not resorted to; for the true sportsman will 

 never be guilty of such offences, and the poacher is 

 more effectually punished by the fine attached to 

 his want of certificate, &c. 



