62 REPORT OF STATE BOARD OP FISH COMMISSIONERS. 



scientific institution and are carrying out a legitimate line of scientific 

 study or research. 



We have issued limited, though broad, permits to the University of 

 California at Berkeley and the Leland Stanford Junior University at 

 Palo Alto. Both institutions are anxious to obtain complete series of 

 all fauna peculiar to California for their zoological departments. 



With respect to the issuance of permits to take game birds and ani- 

 mals, we are adhering to the rule established two years ago, allowing 

 them to be taken only during the open season, after being satisfied that 

 some good would be accomplished. The only exceptions to this rule 

 have been when some large institution, free to the public, made applica- 

 tion, and in such cases we have issued permits liberal in form, believing 

 it to be within the spirit of the law. As careful supervision is given to 

 all requests for permits, abuse of them is exceedingly rare and entirely 

 out of proportion to the good that is accomplished. A number of arrests 

 have been made for having trapped birds in possession, the necessary 

 written authority not having first been procured. 



In general, we note a great improvement in the sentiment of our peo- 

 ple touching bird life. By far the larger number of applications are 

 made for purposes of propagation, and in innumerable instances we 

 have learned that where a permit had been issued to take three or tour 

 pairs of quail a considerable increase has resulted and they have been 

 liberated, in most cases, on the land adjoining the owner's home, where 

 the birds receive protection, which they quickly appreciate, with the 

 result that there are many more quail than before. 



Some criticism is yet heard because permits are issued to transport 

 live birds from the State. In reply to that, we have to say, that the 

 number of quail and ducks shipped outside of this State has not ex- 

 ceeded three hundred birds each year, and we were in every case satisfied 

 that the birds were intended for propagating or scientific purposes. 

 Sometimes they have been offered by us in exchange for bobwhite or 

 other Eastern game birds. The criticisms, therefore, are not well 

 founded. As the birds can neither be trapped, nor transported after 

 being trapped, without written permission from this office, a positive 

 record is kept of each individual who secures a permit to either trap, 

 ship, or possess. 



We are pleased also at this time to call attention to the assistance 

 given this Commission by the Wells-Fargo Express Company with ref- 

 erence to the shipping of live game. In many cases the requests for 

 permits come from this company's agents, showing that they are kept 

 informed on the law, and exercise a wholesome influence in their re- 

 spective communities. We therefore see no need for any change in the 

 present law. We believe it should be interpreted liberally, giving all 

 people who desire to trap birds for legitimate purposes an opportunity 



