312 BIRD LIFE IN ENGLAND. 



Badgers, between the 1st of January and the 15th of 

 September. 



Beavers, between the 2nd of February and the 1st of 

 October. 



Marmots, between the 31st of October and the 15th of 

 August. 



Pheasants, between the 1st of March and the 1st of 

 September. 



Cock-of-the-wood and blackcock, between the 2nd of 

 February and the 1st of August (except for a couple of 

 weeks in April during the pairing season, when these birds 

 may be shot). 



Ptarmigan, hazel-hens, and red-legged partridges, between 

 the 2nd of February and the 1st of August. 



Wild ducks, between the 1st of March and the 30th of 

 June. 



Woodcocks and snipes, between the 15th of April (the 1st 

 of May in the mountains) and the 1st of July. 



Other birds which breed in the fens, and wild pigeons, 

 fieldfares, etc., between the 1st of April and the 1st of June. 



The further regulations laid down by this Ordinance are 

 to the following effect. It is at all seasons of the year for- 

 bidden to shoot or take the does of roedeer, the young (less 

 than a year old) of red deer, chamois, or roedeer, as also the 

 hens of capercailzie and blackgame ; but as regards the does 

 of roedeer, if these should become so numerous in any 

 locality as to appear to the person owning the right of 

 shooting in such locality, to require thinning, special per- 

 mission may be granted to him by the local police authorities, 

 after consultation with the inspector of forests and chases 

 of the district, to kill a certain number of them. 



The opening of the shooting season for hares, partridges, 

 and quails in the plain or open country, is fixed every year 

 in each province of the kingdom, separately, by the chief 

 provincial authority, on any day between the 15th of August 

 and the 15th of September, according to the state of the 



