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open season, in the interest of both the birds and the sports- 

 men. 



To utilize all the protection now accorded by the close sea- 

 sons under State laws and extend these seasons where neces- 

 sary. 



EFFECT OF THE REGULATIONS 



The probable effect of these regulations may be briefly 

 stated as follows: 



(1) Uniformity in protection of migratory game and in- 

 sectivorous birds in the several States. 



(2) Protection of birds in spring while en route to their 

 nesting grounds and while mating. 



(3) Uniformity in protection of migratory birds at night. 



(4) Establishment of protected migration routes along three 

 great rivers in the central United States. 



(5) Complete protection for five years for the smaller 

 shore birds and other species which have become greatly re- 

 duced in numbers. 



(6) Reduction of the open season on migratory game birds, 

 but in most cases not more than 25 to 50 per cent. 



(7) No change in existing conditions before October 1, 1913. 



DEFINITIONS 



Although the law names the more important game birds, a 

 regulation defining the groups is necessary to show definitely 

 the kinds of birds included under the term "all other migratory 

 game and insectivorous birds." In framing these definitions 

 the statutory definitions of the various State laws have been 

 followed as closely as possible in so far as they relate to migra- 

 tory species; the birds have been arranged in natural groups, 

 and the common names adopted by the American Ornitholo- 

 gists' Union have been followed when the birds have more than 

 one common name since it is obviously impracticable to in- 

 clude all the local names. 



NIGHT SHOOTING 



The regulation prohibiting night shooting is intended to 

 bring about uniformity in provisions now in force in most 



