12 DIGEST OF GAME LAWS FOR 1901. 
dotinc oiiine l^iixls its **iiny birds protected by this act," and those 
of Nova Scotia as certain enumerated birds and animals. Such 
definitions are open to the objections that the}^ may incUide many 
species which are not legitimate t^ame. that they may not include one- 
half or even one-fourth of the kinds of game actually found within the 
State, and furth(n*more that the}' are subject to constant change with 
each new amendment as species are added to or stricken from the list.^ 
The groups of animals and birds which ma}' be considered legitimate 
game are well marked and comparativel}' few in num)>er and may easily 
be so defined as to avoid the objections just mentioned. 
The game of North America is practically limited to four groups 
of mammals and four of birds. The game mammals are (1) ^ big 
game' or ruminants and peccaries (Ungulata); (2) bears and raccoons^ 
(Carnivora); (3) rabbits and squirrels (Rodentia); and (4) opossums^ 
(Marsupialia). Game birds, as defined by the American Ornitholo- 
gists' Union, comprise (1) Anatidae, commonly known as swans, geese, 
brant, and ducks; (2) Kallida% including rails, coots, nmd hens, and 
gallinules; (3) LimicoUe, or shore birds, comprising plover, snipe, 
w^oodcock, sandpipers, and curlew; and (4) Gallina?, including wild 
turkeys, grouse, prairie chickens, pheasants, partridges, and quail. 
Certain mammals and birds are sometimes classed as game which, for 
various reasons, might preferabh' be otherwise regarded. Among 
such mammals may l)e mentioned ground squirrels, muskrats, and 
woodchucks; and among birds, cranes, wild pigeons, doves, flickers, 
night hawks or bull bats, meadowlarks, reedbirds, blackbirds, and 
robins. Ground squirrels, muskrats, and woodchucks are not held in 
high estimation for the table, nor are they usually hunted for sport. 
Cranes, pigeons, and doves are ordinarily considered legitimate game, 
but are now so rare that in man}^ States the}^ have been practically 
removed from the game list. Flickers, night hawks, meadowlarks, 
))lack])irds,^ and robins are insectivorous, and although considered 
good eating, are far too valuable to be killed for sport or market. 
Reedbirds or bobolinks, while regarded as pests in the South and highly 
esteemed as song })irds in the North, are treated as game in five States 
along the middle Atlantic coast, where they are neither particularh^ 
beneficial nor injurious. They may, perhaps, be properly added to 
the list in those States. 
' A pxxl illustration is the case of Xew Jersey. Deer are omitted from the list of game 
in the act of UH)1, Imt are still i)rotected under the clause 'other game animals.' Had 
New Jersey defined game as 'animals and birds mentioned in this act,' deer would 
now have no protection. 
■^ These animals are seldom mentioned in game laws. As a rule, bears are accorded 
no j)rotection, though in Quebec they have a close seavson like other game. 
'In certain localities where blackliirds congregate in such numbers as to damage 
crops, it is probably Ijest to deprive them, for the present at least, of all protection. 
