38 



LEGISLATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 



is charged to cover the cost of issuing certificates. Restrictions limit- 

 ing the time, number of permits issued, and disposition of specimens 

 are also imposed by several States. Certificates are issued for periods 

 varying from two years to a few months — in Indiana and Ohio for two 

 years, in Alabama, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, 

 and Pennsylvania for one year, in Colorado for three months, and in 

 Illinois until the first of June following date of issue. Maine limits 

 the number of permits in force at one time to ten and Vermont to five. 

 Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, and Wisconsin issue certificates only on 

 condition that the specimens collected shall be exchanged,, and not sold 

 or disposed of by gift. 



While such permits should be guarded by all necessary restrictions 

 to prevent abuse, still the formality of obtaining them should be as 

 simple as possible and the fees should be within the reach of all deserv- 

 ing students. High fees and large bonds are objectionable for the 

 reason that some persons who are otherwise entirely qualified are 

 unable to comply with these conditions. A nominal fee of $1 should be 

 sufficient to deter many who simply desire a license to shoot and who 

 might apply for the permit if it were to be had for the asking, while 

 the requirement of testimonials from two responsible scientific men 

 will insure the carrying out of the int.ent of the law. It may well be 

 questioned whether the limitations as to number insisted on by Maine 

 and Vermont are wise, for it might easily happen in a large State that 

 the number of students who desired to collect would greatly exceed 

 the permit limit set by law, while the depletion in the ranks of the 

 birds by such collecting is comparatively trifling. The Committee on 

 Protection of Birds of the American Ornithologists' Union especially 

 recommends that the age limit should not be placed higher than 15 

 years, as this would prevent young students from collecting at a time 

 when they' most need encouragement. 



The chief requirements of the various States regarding certificates 

 are shown in the following table: 



Regulations and permits for collecting birds, nests, and eggs for scientific purposes. 



*Law not applicable to specimens collected for educational rtumoses. 



