JAMES C. MELVIN, 
88 CLINTON STREET, BOSTON. 
October 31, 1911. 
My dear Will:- 
I found your letter and the bird on my arrival at 
the office yesterday. 
Poor poy! I fully appreciate your position, and were I 
situated as you are should do just as you have done, 
Did it ever occur to you that the passing of so many and 
such absurd game laws tends to bring all game laws into contempt? 
To illustrate what I mean. I go to Nebraska and take out a 
hunting license. Under that license I am authorized to kill a 
certain number of grouse each day, and to bring with me out of the 
State a certain number, I think it is twenty-five. 
Under the Federal Law I am authorized to have these birds 
in my possession until I eross the State line into Massachusetts. 
I can leave them or make a present of them to any friend in Nebraska, 
Illinois, or as far as I know, any other State, but when I take 
them into Massachusetts and give one to you, both you and I are 
criminais, 
Take another case. Last year (Chap. 236) a law was passed 
in this State which makes it lawful to Bunt, and (if you can) kill 
Ruffed Grouse or Woodcock between October 15th. and November i5th, 
inclusive, but it is unlawful to have either of these birds in your 
possession "whenever or wherever'killeda" except between those dates. 
AS you will see, it follows you can lawfully kill these birds up to 
12 o'clock P.M. November l5th., but if you have them in your possess-— 
ion one minute later you are a criminal. 
Last year there were seventeen laws enacted in this State. 

