136 



CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME. 



for many birds and become the last ref- 

 uge for the Lyrebird, which has been so 

 persecuted by the plume-hunter, the egg- 

 collector and the fox. 



NATURE PROTECTION IN JAPAN. 



Japan is directing her attention very 

 seriously to the protection of her animal 

 life. Certain animals peculiar to Japan 

 are in grave danger of extermination. 

 Such are the Japanese ibis, Japanese 

 egret, the Siberian bustard and the spoon- 

 bill. The Ministry of the Interior of the 

 Empire of Japan has issued a brochure 

 containing a list of the monuments, ruins, 

 sites and places, and of the animal life, 

 which it is desired to protect. — Bird 

 Notes and News, Vol. IX, p. 53. 



NEW MEXICO HAS NEW GAME LAWS. 



At the last session of the New Mexico 

 legislature the game laws were completely 

 I'evised and a new commission appointed. 

 The commission is composed of three 

 members, not more than two of whom 

 shall be of the same political party, ap- 

 pointed by the governor. The terms are 

 for six years and are overlapping, so as 

 to assure continuity of policy. The com- 

 missioners serve without pay. The chief 

 warden is also appointed by the governor. 



The commission is granted regulative 

 powers in addition to those of law en- 

 forcement. The new law describes the 

 various functions as follows : 



To establish game refuges for the 

 purpose of providing safe sanctuaries in 

 which game may breed and replenish 

 adjacent hunting ranges. 



To declare closed seasons in any speci- 

 fied locality on any species of game or fish 

 threatened with undue depletion from any 

 cause. 



To purchase land for game refuges and 



public hunting grounds, particularly suit- 

 able for waterfowl hunting. 



To designate resting grounds for water- 

 fowl, in which they shall not be molested. 



To close waters to fishing, for the 

 protection of recently stocked streams, 

 spawning waters or depleted waters. 



To establish fish hatcheries. 



To prohibit hunting in periods of 

 extreme forest-fire danger. 



To propagate, purchase and sell game 

 animals, birds and fish for restocking. 



To Avithhold license privileges for not 

 to exceed two years from any person 

 procuring a license through misrepresen- 

 tation or hunting without a license. 



The commission is not authorized to 

 open any closed season established by the 

 legislature, to lengthen any open season, 

 to declare a closed season on any preda- 

 tory species, or to increase any bag limit. 



GAME CONDITIONS IN BRITISH 



COLUMBIA. 

 A report of game conditions for 1920 

 by the Game Conservation Board of Brit- 

 ish Columbia chronicles several changes 

 in the game laws in an endeavor to better 

 conserve game. In northern British Co- 

 lumbia the bag limit on mountain sheep 

 has been reduced to two rams of any one 

 species or three in all. In the southern 

 part of the province only one ram may be 

 killed. Wapiti are being given a closed 

 season in southern British Columbia. 

 Sentiment favoring a buck law is gaining 

 ground rapidly. Even the grizzly bear is 

 being accordetl a measure of protection, 

 being entirely protected south of the main 

 lines of the Canadian Pacific Railway, 

 nnd a bag limit of three being allowed 

 for the region lying to the north. As 

 might be expected, the catch of fur was 

 comparatively small, the 1842 trappers 

 reporting a take of 110,573 pelts. 



