The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-16
UNDER THE LACEY ACT.

Law Concerning the Protection and
Importation of Birds.
During the last Session OF Congress a law
was enacted, commonly known as the La ey
act. which places the preservation. dstri-
button. and introduction, and restoration O:
game and other birds under the Depart
ment Of Agriculture; regulates the imror-
tation of foreign birds and animals. o.
hibitiEg absolutely the introduction of cer-
tain injurious species; and prohibits inter-
| state traffic in birds or game killed in vicIa-
tion of State laws.
The Secretary OF Agriculture has paced
| the division of Biological Survey OF his De-
partment in charge of all matters relating
to the preservation and importation OF an
imals or birds under the act and DR.. T. S.
Palmer, the assistant chief Of that division,
has immediate charge of the issue OF per-
mits for the Importation OF animals and
birds from foreign countries. The regula-
tions for carrying out the purposes OF the
act have Just been published by the De-
partment.
The circular explains the object OF pIac-
ing the work In charge OF an executive de-
partment OF; the Federal Government as te-
Ing merelyto supplement and not 10 ham
per or replace the work hitherto done by
State commissions AND organizations; in
other words to co ordinate and dire ect 'ndi-
vidual efforts, and thus ensure more uni
form and more satisfactory results than
could otherwise be obtained.
Attention is called TO the fact that while
the act provides for the purchase and dis
tributiOn of birds. no appropriation is made
for that purpose. The Department, there
fore. has no quail, pheasants, or other |
game birds for distribution.
The Department issues no permits for |
shipping birds from one State to another. |
In some States the Board of Fish and Game |
Commissioners is authorized 10 issue per- |
mits for shipping birds for propagating |
purposes. and few States make excep-
tons in their game laws in the case of |
birds captured for breeding purposes; but
when a State forbids the expectation of
birds without exception, interstate COM
meree in birds from that State is in vio-
lation of the Lacey act, whether the birds
are captured during open seasons or
whether they are intended for propaga-
tion or not.
Persons contemplating the importation
OF live animals or birds from abroad must
obtain a special permit from the Secre-
tary OF Agriculture. and importers are ad- |
vised to make application for permits in
advance. in order to avoid annoyance and |
delay when shipments reach the custom
house. The law applies to single mammals.
BIRDS or reptiles. kept in cages as pets,
as well as to large consignments intended |
for propagation in captivity or otherwise
Permits are not required for domesti-
Gated birds. such as chickens, ducks. geese,
guinea fowl, pea fowl, pigeons, or cana
ries; for parrots (including cockatoos,
lovebirds, macaws, and parrakeets); or
Tor natural history specimens for museums
or scientific collections. Permits must be
obtained for all wild species of pigeons |
and ducks.
In the case OF ruminants Qncluding deer,
elk. moose. antelopes, and also camels
and llamas), permits will be issued, as
heretofore, in the form prescribed for
Importation OF domesticated animals.
The Introduction of the English or Eu-
ropean house sparrow, the starting the
[ruit bat or flying fox. and the mongoose,
known also as the ichneumon or Pharoah's
rat, is absolutely prohibited. and permits
Tor their importation will not be issued
inder any circumstances.
Under the regulations prescribed by the
secretary Of the Treasury, in ease CT doubt
IS to whether animals or birds belong to
species. or suspicion on the part
II the collector IF customs that such spe-
les are being entered under other names,
he shipment will be held, at the risk and
xpense of the importer. pending the re-
ejpt OF special instructions from the De- ,
artment OF Agriculture. or until exam
ned at the expense of the importer by q
pecial Inspector designated by the Secre-
ary of Agriculture and the identity estab- {
shed to the satisfaction of the collector.
Special inspectors will be designated at
&c ports of New York. Boston, Philadel-
hia, Baltimore, Washington, New Or
cans, and San Francisco. who will examine
Mt the request OF the owner or |
gent. or who may be consulted in case of !
Misunderstanding between owners and Of {
GERS OF the customs. These inspectors n
re to be designated merely for the con- e
enience of importers, and owners or
gents are under no obligations to en- .
10y them; but the identity OF the species
lust be established 10 the satisfaction Of
Dllectors, and in case of refusal or neg
ct, or failure to obtain the permit within
lie specified LINE. delivery Of the property
ill be refused and immediate expectation
squired.
The deliberate shipment Of starlings or
'nglish sparrows from one State to an
ther is now violation Of law and rem
ers the shipper and carrier liable to the
enalties provided in the act.
The attention OF sportsmen. commission
lerchants SINNERS and eyDress aeenta Il