46 THEAUDUBONBULLETIN 



or part of such bird, other than an English sparrow, crow, black- 

 bird, blue-jay, Cooper's hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, goshawk, 

 duck hawk, pigeon hawk, great horned owl or cormorant. 



(b) For any person to take or needlessly destroy the nest or 

 eggs of any song, insectivorous or non-game seed-eating bird, or 

 have in his or her possession the nest or eggs thereof. 



Comment on Section 17 



It will be noticed that the list of outlawed birds set forth in 

 (a) above includes five of the hawk family, all but one being 

 small hawks and all of deservedly bad reputation. On the other 

 the big hawks, commonly called hen-hawks, conspicuous 

 as targets but very generally useful members of so- 

 ciety, — the red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, broad-winged 

 hawk, marsh hawk, etc., are no longer on the list of outlaws and 

 are entitled to the same protection as the bluebird and the wren. 

 This is also true, now, of all the owls, except the great horned 

 owl which is more or less rare in Illinois anyway. The representa- 

 tives of the Illinois Audubon Society were not successful in their 

 plea for the blackbirds. The law remains as of old, and red- 

 wings and yellowheads, surely without evil records in Illinois, 

 are left to take their chances with that dignified pirate bird, the 

 grackle, who, it is believed by many observers, is not generally 

 an evil bird but only locally and now and then. Anyway, what 

 is the evidence against any and all of the blackbirds in Illinois? 

 Let us find what there is and examine it and be ready when the 

 legislature meets again to speak with certainty for the yellow- 

 head and the redwing, at least, if not for the grackle. 



Who Enforces the Law 



Section 75. It shall be the duty of all duly accredited offi- 

 cers and employes of the Department, and all sheriffs, deputy 

 sheriffs, constables and other police officers to arrest any person 

 detected in violation of any of the provisions of this Act. 



It shall further be the duty of all such officers to make prompt 

 investigation of any violations of the provisions of this Act re- 

 ported by any other person, and to cause a complaint to be filed 

 before a court having jurisdiction thereof in case there seems 

 just ground for such complaint and evidence procurable to sup- 

 port the same. 



Upon the filing of such complaint, it shall be the duty of such 

 officers to render assistance in the prosecution of the party com- 

 plained against. 



Sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables and other police officers 

 making arrests and serving warrants under the provisions here- 

 of shall receive the same fees and mileage as constables are 

 entitled to in similar cases, under the provisions of the statutes 

 of the State, and shall also be entitled to one-half of the fines 

 imposed and collected for violations of the provisions hereof in 

 cases where they have filed complaints- 



