82 
HISTORICAL PART 
not touch enclosed places (preserves) or trenches. Exceptions 
may be made for scientific purposes. 
Great Britain. The Wild Birds Protection Act (43 and 44 
Vict. ch. 35: Sept. 7, 1880) prohibits the taking or killing of 
wild birds between March 1 and August 1 as well as the 
use of decoy birds or any other instrument for the taking of 
birds. The possession of wild birds after March 15 is for- 
bidden. If any offence is committed against any of the 
85 species ^ included in the schedule annexed to the Act, it 
is punishable with a fine not exceeding twenty shillings; if 
committed against other birds the milder enactments of the 
Act dated Aug. 10, 1872 are available. According to this law 
the offender, in the case of first offence, is reprimanded and 
discharged on payment of costs; for every subsequent offence 
he must forfeit and pay for every wild bird, in respect of 
which an offence is committed, a sum of money not exceed- 
ing five shillings, in addition to the costs, unless it can be 
proved that the bird was taken during the open season or 
from some person residing out of the United kingdom. This 
section does not apply to the owner or occupier of any land 
or to any person authorised by the same. This is based on 
a law dating from Aug. 22, 1801.'- 
Norway. There is a close season only for the permanent 
birds of the country, e. g. eiders and grouse. Here and in 
Sweden, where there is a close season for pheasants as well 
as grouse, small birds are not taken in any form. 
In the laws here explained in brief the leading principle 
is that of usefulness, though we can occasionally perceive 
1 This number is not explained here, but will be below in the 
comparative treatment. 
^ A more precise explanation of English laws and conditions will 
be found below. 
