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flight,” the following are some of the more important principles on 
which the regulations have been based : 
To limit the list of migratory game birds to species properly so 
called and to eliminate species too small to be considered legitimate 
game or too rare to be longer hunted for sport or profit. This list 
has been made to conform as closely as possible with the statutory 
definitions of game. 
To prevent spring shooting. 
To protect migratory birds between sunset and sunrise. 
To provide protected flight lines along at least three of the great 
navigable rivers. 
To make the seasons approximately equal in length in different 
parts of the country. 
To limit the hunting seasons to a maximum of three or three and 
one-half months. 
To regulate these seasons according to latitude and times of 
migration and to adjust them so that there may be reasonable oppor- 
tunity of securing 30 days’ shooting of any species at a given place. 
To provide separate seasons for waterfowl, rail, shore birds, and 
woodcock. The woodcock seasons are made to conform as nearly as 
possible with the seasons for upland game under State laws, so that 
there may be no opportunity in close seasons to hunt quail or grouse 
under the guise of shooting woodcock. 
To curtail hunting at the end instead of the beginning of the open 
season, in the interest of both the birds and the sportsmen. 
To utilize all the protection now accorded by the close seasons 
under State laws and extend these seasons where necessary. 
EFFECT OF THE REGULATIONS. 
The probable effect of these regulations may be briefly stated as 
follows : 
(1) Uniformity in protection of migratory game and insectivorous 
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 reduced 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. 
