“SONG BIRDS” 151 
the country was made up largely of great estates a 
few persons controlled the privilege of hunting and 
fishing. The colonists took care to provide that no 
such monopoly should exist in their country by mak¬ 
ing the game the property of the commonwealth, 
and this principle prevails in most states now. While 
the game belongs to the commonwealth the land 
belongs to the individual, and he may prohibit tres¬ 
pass thereon if he chooses. In many places he has 
been compelled to prohibit hunting for the sake of 
protecting his property. This because so many 
hunters were careless or criminal. In some cases 
organizations of sportsmen and owners of land have 
come to an understanding which # is good for both 
parties. Land owners are guaranteed against dam¬ 
age and both parties protect and foster game that is 
useful to both. Some day, by organization on both 
sides, such an arrangement may become common, to 
the advantage of all concerned. The careless or ma¬ 
rauding hunter, who is no sportsman, is the greatest 
obstacle to such plans now. 
For some years now Ohio has been the 
sore spot of sportsmen all over the country, 
due to the law which changed the course of 
nature and decreed that quail should be no 
longer the best of the game birds, but should 
be demoted to the class with mere canaries 
