SUPPLEMENT TO BIRD NOTES AND NEWS. 



79 



protection of birds Close Time for any native 

 game or wild birds mentioned in the Schedule is 

 fixed for September 30th to March 1st. Hawks 

 and parrots may be, however, destroyed by a 

 person in his own garden or premises. Permission 

 to collect specimens of natural history may 

 be given. The penalty for illegally taking 

 birds or eggs, or having them in possession, 

 during Close Time, may be £5 or a month's im- 

 prisonment, with or without hard labour. The 

 Schedule includes about 20 species, among which 

 are the starling, lark, thrush, blackbird and plover, 

 with their eggs. Preserves may be created. 



New Zealand.— The principal Act of 1880 

 (No. 18) gives protection to indigenous birds, and 

 fixes certain Close Seasons for scheduled birds. 



The Act of 1886 gives to the Governor power to 

 protect any bird indigenous to the Colony. 



In 1892, the seabirds and their eggs on the Titi 

 and Stewart Islands were protected. 



An Act of 1902 (No. 25). however, makes it the 

 duty of local authorises to take effective action 

 for the destruction of birds gazetted by the Govern- 

 ment as "injurious,'*' provision being made for 

 concerted action, and the laying of poisoned grain 

 is permitted. In case of default, an inspector may 

 be appointed to do the work. 



The Act of 1903 alters the Close Season for the 

 godwit. 



AFRICA. 



Cape Colony.— The Act of 1899 (No. 42) 

 enables the Governor upon the petition of muni- 

 cipal and divisional councils to prohibit under 

 penalty the destruction of all or of scheduled birds 

 for the whole or part of each year. 



Natal.— The Act of 1896 (No 33) prohibits the 

 killing or taking of birds in the Schedule or their 

 eggs, except by express permission of the Gover- 

 nor for scientific research. The list includes 

 swallows, and may be added to by the Governor. 



Transvaal and Orange River Colony. — 



Gambia. — 



Gold Coast. — Ordinance No. 2 of 1901 was 

 passed to carry out the Convention signed in 

 London on 19th May, 1900, for the preservation of 

 wild animals, birds and fish in Africa between the 

 line of the river Zambesi and the 20th parallel of 

 North latitude. By this Ordinance, the killing 

 of vultures, secretary bird, owls and rhinoceros- 

 birds or beef-eaters is prohibited on account of 

 their usefulness. Provision is made to limit the 

 number killed of ostriches, marabous, egrets, 

 bustards and francolins, guinea fowls and other 

 " game birds." 



LAGOS. — Ordinance No. 15 of 1900 similarly 

 carr es out the Convention, 



Sierra Leone. — 



Southern and Northern Nigeria.— 



East Africa Protectorate.— By the Bird 

 Protection Regulations of 1901, it is not lawful to 

 shoot birds without a licence. Penalty, 50 rupees. 



Mauritius.— 



Seychelles. — 



NORTH-AMERICAN COLONIES. 



British Columbia.— An Act of 1898 (No. 24) 

 consolidates the laws for the protection of birds 

 and provides for Close Seasons. 



- Manitoba. — By the Game Act (cap. 14, 1900) 

 Close Seasons for certain birds, including the 

 plover, is provided. 



New Brunswick.-- An Act of 1895 ( c - I0 ) P r °- 

 tects all wild fowl and the nests and eggs of gulls 

 within certain portions of the province. By the 

 Act of 1898 (No. 8) a Close Time was fixed for wild 

 duck, teal and other birds, and it became an 

 offence to destroy any sea-gull, pheasant, or any 

 small birds which frequent the fields and woods, 

 except blackbirds, crows and sparrows. 



The hunting or killing of birds on the beaches, 

 islands, or lagoons along Northumberland Strait, 

 Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the Bay of Chaleur is 

 prohibited between December 31st and September 

 1st by the Act of 1899 (No. 39). The exportation 

 of partridges is forbidden. 



North-West Territories. — The Act of 1901 

 (No. 11) was passed to protect useful birds. No 

 person may hunt or kill any birds whatever, except 

 certain named species. (This list of eighteen birds 

 includes hawks of various kinds, " blackbirds," and 

 the English sparrow.) A license to procure birds 

 for scientific purposes may be obtained. 



Nova Scotia. — Under an Act of 1896 (cap. 4)the 

 killing of " robins," swallows, sparrows, and other 

 small birds of song which frequent the fields and 

 gardens, and the selling, offering for sale, and 

 having in possession of such birds when killed is 

 prohibited. 



Ontario.— The Act of 1897 (289) deals with the 

 protection of insectivorous birds, and except as 

 regard hawks, crows, blackbirds, and English 

 sparrows, prohibits the killing or snaring of any 

 wild native bird, also the destroying of nests, 

 young, or eggs, unless with the permission granted 

 to an "ornithologist" or "biologist." Power is 

 granted to seize birds unlawfully possessed. 



Under the Act of 1900 protection may be given 

 to migratory or non-migratory birds in danger of 

 extinction, and wardens are appointed ; and by 

 Act of 1903 towns, cities, and villages may make 

 by-laws to prevent destruction of birds. 



Prince Edward Island. — "Game" Acts 

 passed in 1879, 1898 and 1899 are in force. 



Quebec— By the Act of 1899 (No. 24) a Close 

 Time is fixed for swallows, warblers, finches and 

 other birds, and snares or traps of any kind are 

 forbidden. Birds illegally taken may be confis- 

 cated. The Act of 1903 (c. 23) fixes a Close Time 

 for wigeon, teal, and wild duck. 



Newfoundland.— A Close Time (January 12th 

 to August 20th, for curlew, plover, snipe, and other 

 wild or migratory birds (except wild geese) is fixed 

 by the Act of 1902 (c. 17), and the eggs and nests 

 of such birds protected. Maximum fine 200 dollars. 

 In 1904 (c. 11) a Close Time was fixed for the 

 ptarmigan and its eggs (October 1st to January 12th). 



