46 THE AUDUSB.ON BU L lek tae 
or part of such bird, other than an English sparrow, crow, black- 
bird, blue-jay, Cooper’s hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, goshawk, 
duck hawk, pigeon hawk, great horned owl or cormorant. 
(b) For any person to take or needlessly destroy the nest or 
eggs of any song, insectivorous or non-game seed-eating bird, or 
have in his or her possession the nest or eggs thereof. 
Comment on Section 17 
It will be noticed that the list of outlawed birds set forth in 
(a) above includes five of the hawk family, all but one being 
small hawks and all of deservedly bad reputation. On the other 
the big hawks, commonly called hen-hawks, conspicuous 
as targets but very generally useful members of _ so- 
ciety,—the red-tailed hawk, red-shouldered hawk, broad-winged 
hawk, marsh hawk, etc., are no longer on the list of outlaws and 
are entitled to the same protection as the bluebird and the wren. 
This is also true, now, of all the owls, except the great horned 
owl which is more or less rare in Illinois anyway. The representa- 
tives of the Illinois Audubon Society were not successful in their 
plea for the blackbirds. The law remains as of old, and red- 
wings and vellowheads, surely without evil records in Illinois, 
are left to take their chances with that dignified pirate bird, the 
grackle, who, it is believed by many observers, is not generally 
an evil bird but only locally and now and then. Anyway, what 
is the evidence against any and all of the blackbirds in Illinois? 
Let us find what there is and examine it and be ready when the 
legislature meets again to speak with certainty for the yellow- 
head and the redwing, at least, if not for the grackle. 
Who Enforces the Law 
SECTION 75. It shall be the duty of all duly accredited offi- 
cers and employes of the Department, and all sheriffs, deputy 
sheriffs, constables and other police officers to arrest any person 
detected in violation of any of the provisions of this Act. 
It shall further be the duty of all such officers to make prompt 
investigation of any violations of the provisions of this Act re- 
ported by any other person, and to cause a complaint to be filed 
before a court having jurisdiction thereof in case there seems 
just ground for such complaint and evidence procurable to sup- 
port the same. 
Upon the filing of such complaint, it shall be the duty of such 
officers to render assistance in the prosecution of the party com- 
plained against. 
Sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables and other police officers 
making arrests and serving warrants under the provisions here- 
of shall receive the same fees and mileage as constables are 
entitled to in similar cases, under the provisions of the statutes 
of the State, and shall also be entitled to one-half of the fines 
imposed and collected for violations of the provisions hereof in 
cases where they have filed complaints. 
