58 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
LICENCES 
For each dog kept for sporting purposes in England and 
Scotland it is necessary to take out a licence costing 7s. 6d. per 
annum. In Ireland a dog licence costs 2s. 6d. There is no 
reduction for a number, and no exemptions are made for dogs 
used for sport. Persons keeping dogs for others must hold 
licences for the dogs in their charge. Although, possibly, 
a point not likely to be enforced in law, the fact that a licence 
has been taken out for a certain dog does not permit its being 
transferred into the custody of the household of another 
person, unless the latter holds a licence to keep a dog. Paid 
servants keeping and training sporting dogs for their masters, 
are acting within the master’s household. Professional dog- 
breakers must hold a licence for each dog in their possession. 
Dog licences expire annually in January, 
A licence to carry and use a gun costs Ios. per annum. 
To shoot game, a certificate (which includes a gun licence) 
costing 43 per annum, or 42 for a less period, is necessary. 
42 licences may be taken out from July 31 to October 31, 
or from October 31 to July 31. Short-period game licences 
costing £1, for a fortnight, are available. Gamekeepers in 
the bona fide service of masters holding legal possession of 
game preserves, can kill game under conditions in accordance 
with the law by holding a licence costing £2 per annum. All 
gun licences expire on July 31 in each year. The killing of 
game on Sundays and Christmas Day is prohibited. Wild 
birds which are not game may be shot at any time (except where 
orders are in force to the contrary) on unenclosed lands, 
where no offence is committed by holders of a gun licence. 
WILD BIRDS’ PROTECTION 
The Wild Birds’ Protection Act of 1880-1 provides for the 
protection of all wild birds throughout the British Isles, ex- 
cept St. Kilda, between the last day of February and August 1 
