CHAPTER I. 



PROTECTION AGAINST HUMAN ACTS, FARM-STOCK, GAME, 

 RODENTS, AND BIRDS. 



Legislative Protection is afforded by Forest Ads, and Rules 

 made thereunder, in all countries having large forest areas 

 under more or less systematic management. But in Britain 

 there is, as yet, no need for these, and the only legal pro- 

 tection given is that, in 1861, the statutes dealing with damage 

 to woodlands, trees, and shrubs were consolidated in the 

 Larceny and other similar Offences Act (sect. 16, referring to 

 "any Forest, Chase, or Purlieu," and sects. 31 to 33, and 35, 

 referring to " trees and woods "), protection being at the same 

 time also given to ornamental trees and shrubs under the 

 Malicious Injuries to Property Act (sects. 20 to 22, and 53). 

 Under these it is felony to steal any tree, shrub, or under- 

 wood, or to destroy or maliciously injure the same with intent 

 to steal, if the value be <! in parks, avenues, or pleasure- 

 grounds, or 5 elsewhere ; and even if the value be only over 

 Is., on a third offence the larceny becomes a felony, and the 

 malicious injury is punishable with two years' imprisonment 

 with hard labour. 



In Britain woodlands are generally enclosed with walls, 

 fences, or hedgerows, although boundary marks are only 

 necessary along march - lines between two different estates 

 under separate ownership. In England an owner or occupier 



