340 



BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



"2. The effect (in the opinion of the officers) of the repeal of the law so far as it 

 affects hawks and owls. 



"3. The effect of the repeal of the whole law. 



"Answers to the first question gives us the following data, which show the 

 amount paid by each county from November 1, 1885, to November 1, 1886. A num- 

 ber of the replies stated that the existence of the act did not become generally 

 known until Janury 1, 1886, and that it would have been more in accordance with 

 their experience to have fixed the time covered from January 1, 1886 to January 1, 

 1887. A number state that had this latter date been fixed, they would have increased 

 the amount paid fully twenty per cent, and in many cases more was paid in the 

 two months ending December 31, 1886, than in any six preceding months. From 

 this we are inclined to suppose that it will be perfectly safe to increase the amounts 

 given below iully twenty per cent., in order to cover the total amount paid by each 

 county. The reports give the following as the amounts actually paid between the 

 dates given in the circular, viz: from November 1, 1885, to November 1, 1886: 



"The answers to the second and third queries (the effect of the repeal of the act 

 so far as it applies to hawks and owls, and its total repeal) were answered by the 

 respective county officers as follows : 



"REPLIES OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 



"Adams. 'The law should be repealed except as to wolves, foxes and wild cats; 



the repeal as to hawks and owls would be a saving to the county of $2,500.' 

 "Armstrong. 1 Repeal the whole act.' 

 "Allegheny. 'So far as this county is concerned, its repeal would not affect the 



number destroyed.' 



"Beaver. 'The commissioners think that the whole act should be repealed.' 



" Berks. 'Our opinion is that the whole act should be repealed.' 



"Bucks. 'Think that the portion as to hawks and owls should be repealed ; the 



balance of the act should remain as it now is.' 



