14 DIGEST OF GAME LAWS FOR 1901. 
were extended to piiictically every Stute and Territory and to nio«t of 
t \w Pi()\ ince.s of Canada. The simple provisions of the earlier statutes 
ar«' \u> lonc^er sufHeient, and the modern j^ame laws of some of the 
States are really codes covering sueh subjects as seasons, methods 
of capturing game of all kinds, conditions for shipping to market, 
sale, piM'niits to collect scientitic specimens, taking, keeping, and ship- 
ping l)irds and animals for propagation, emplo^^ment of guides, duties 
of game conmiissioners and wardens, besides various provisions neces- 
sary foi- enforcement, such as search, seizure, and disposition of game. 
These laws are subject to such frequent change that in certain States 
scarcely a session of the legislature passes without the enactment of 
amendments of some kind. In 1879 New York adopted a complete 
and carefully prepared statute which remained in force for tifteen 
years or more, but by 1895 no less than 21-1: amendments or special 
acts had Ihmmi passed, and the original law was greatly obscured.^ 
Without attempting to follow the development of game legislation 
in detail, the growth of game laws may be illustrated by briefly 
sketching the changes in those of Maine, now one of the foremost States 
in legislation of this kind. The first State law of Maine was apparently 
that of March 16, 1830, which prohibited killing deei' and moose 
between Jjinuary 1 and September 1. under a penalty of ^15. This 
season was subsequently modified at intervals (see below), but the list 
of protected game was not extended until 1863, when a close season 
wjis provided for quail between March 1 and September 1, and for 
woodcock between March 1 and July -l.^ In 1866 protection was given 
fur-bearing animals, including mink, beaver, sable, fisher, otter, and 
muskrats. In 1870 protection was accorded caribou, and the bird list 
was extended by the addition of grouse or partridges, snipe, and a few 
insectivorous birds, such as larks, robins, swallows, and sparrows. 
The capture of ducks except with firearms was prohibited. In 1879 
plover were added to the game list and a close season (May 1 to Sep- 
tember 1), which remained in force for twenty years, was established 
for wood ducks, dusky or black ducks, and sea ducks. In 1888 the non- 
game bird list was extended to include orioles or other insectivorous 
birds, and finally, in 1901, was made to include all wild birds other 
than game, except crows, hawks, owls, and English sparrows. 
As early as 1852 it became necessary to have special officers to 
enforce the game laws, and county moose wardens were appointed, but 
in the following year these were replaced by county and town moose 
wardens. In ISSO the board of commissioners of inland fisheries and 
game was established, now consisting of three commissioners. 
• Whitehead, 1. c, p. 373. 
' It is interi'stinp to observe that this early law reoopnize<l the importance of mak- 
ing no distinction In-twecn State and imported birds and prohibited Imying or selling 
binls taken in Maine or elsew here. 
