BIRD-PROTECTION BY GOVERNMENTS 201 



To prevent spring shooting. 



To protect migratory birds between sunset and sunrise. 



To provide protected flight lines along at least two of 

 the great navigable rivers. 



To make the seasons approximately equal in length in 

 different parts of the country. 



To limit the hunting seasons to a maximum of three or 

 three and one-half months. 



To regulate these seasons according to latitude and 

 times of migration and to adjust them so that there may 

 be a reasonable opportunity of securing thirty days' shoot- 

 ing of any species at a given place. 



To provide separate seasons for water fowl, rail, shore 

 birds, and woodcock. The woodcock seasons are made to 

 conform as nearly as possible with the seasons for upland 

 game under state laws, so that there may be no opportu- 

 nity in close seasons to hunt quail or grouse under the 

 guise of shooting woodcock. 



To curtail hunting at the end instead of the beginning 

 of the open season, in the interest of both birds and the 

 sportsmen. 



To utilize all the protection now accorded by the closed 

 seasons under state laws and extend these seasons when 

 necessary. 



Effect of the Regulations 



The probable effect of these regulations may be briefly 

 stated as follows : 



(1) Uniformity in protection of migratory game and 

 insectivorous birds in the several States. 



(2) Protection of birds in spring while en route to 

 their nesting grounds and while mating. 



(3) Uniformity in protection of migratory birds at 

 night. 



(4) Establishment of protected migration routes along 

 two great rivers in the central United States. 



