EHODE ISLAND. 243 



RHODE ISLAND. 

 General Laws, 1896, chap. 112, p. 379. 



Disposition of fines; Limitation: Sec 15. [As amended by Laws of 1900, chap. 

 746.] All fines recovered by virtue of this chapter shall enure one-half thereof to 

 use of the state and one-half thereof to the use of the complainant, and all prosecu- 

 tions therefor shall be commenced within ninety days after the commission of the 

 offense and not afterwards. 



Commissioners of birds; Compensation: Sec. 16. [As amended by Laws of 

 1901, chap. 809.] There shall be five commissioners of birds, who shall serve with- 

 out compensation. * * * At the January session of the general assembly in the 

 year A. D. 1902, and in each third year thereafter, the governor, with the advice 

 and consent of the senate, shall appoint five persons to be commissioners of birds to 

 succeed the commissioners then in office; and the persons so appointed shall hold 

 their offices until the first day of February in the third year after their appoint- 

 ment. * * * 



Complaint; Search.: Sec. 18. Whenever complaint is made on oath to any mag- 

 istrate authorized to issue warrants in criminal cases, that the complainant believes 

 and has reasonable cause to believe that the laws in relation to birds have been or 

 are being violated in any building or place, such magistrate, if satisfied that there is 

 reasonable cause for such belief, shall issue a search-warrant authorizing any officer, 

 competent to serve a warrant, to search such building or place; but no search shall 

 be made after sunset, unless specially authorized by the magistrate upon satisfactory 

 cause shown. 



Chap. 113, p. 383j 



OF FEKEETS, WEASELS, HARES AND GRAY SQUIRRELS. 



Disposition of fines: Sec 1. [As amended in 1905. Provides a close season 

 for rabbits, hares, and gray squirrels from Jan. 1 to Nov. 1 ; a fine of $20 for each 

 animal, one-half of fine to be paid to complainant and one-half to state.] 



Arrest: Sec 4. [Added by Laws of 1899, chap. 684.] It shall be the duty of the 

 commissioners of birds and their deputies * * * to enforce the provisions of this 

 chapter and to prosecute every person who shall violate the same. They shall have 

 power to arrest, without warrant, every person whom they shall find pursuing with 

 intent to kill, taking or killing, or having in his possession any undomesticated rabbit, 

 hare or gray squirrel contrary to the provisions of this chapter: Provided, that any per- 

 son so arrested without warrant shall not be detained longer than twelve hours. 



Nonliability: Sec 5. Whenever complaint is made by said commissioners, or 

 either of them, or by their deputies of any violation of the provisions of this chapter, 

 they shall not be required either by themselves or by their deputies to furnish surety 

 for costs, or be liable for costs on such complaint. [Id.] 



Seizure: Sec 6. Any commissioner or his deputy may seize without warrant any 

 undomesticated rabbit, hare or gray squirrel found in the possession of any person 

 at any time when the killing of the same is prohibited by law. [Id.] 



Laws of 1899, chap. 678, p. 119. 



Nonliability: Sec 2. The commissioners of birds shall protect birds throughout 

 the state, and shall prosecute every person who shall violate any of the laws of this 

 state relating to birds. Whenever complaint is made by said commissioners, or 

 either of them, or by their deputies, of any violation of any of the laws of this state 

 relating to birds, they shall not be required, either by themselves or by their depu- 

 ties, to furnish surety for costs on such complaint. 

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