The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-04
Secretary of State.

Approved this 23d day of February, 1907 Official;
 Frank N. Julian,
 Secretary of State.
 No 1S) AN ACT. ui. Ill. Relating to the preservation. propagating
 and protection of game animals, wild
 birds and fish, establishing the depart
 ment of game and fish. creating the
 office of State game and fish Commis-
 sioner and providing for his election
 and compensation; creating the offices
 of County Game and Fish Warden.
 and Deputy game and fish Warden and
 providing for their appointment and
 compensation; crea ting a game and fish
 protection fund and appropriating money
 therefrom.
 Section l. Be it further enacted by the Legislature of Alabama, that the title and ownership to all wild birds and game in the State of Alabama, not held by private ownership legally acquired, Is hereby declared to be In the State, and no wild bird or game shall be caught, taken or killed in any manner or at time' or had in possession, except the person so catching, taking, killing. or having in possession shall consent that the title to sail wild birds and game shall be and remain in the State of Alabama for the purpose of regulating and controlling the use and disposition of the same after such catching, taking or killing. Ihe catching. taking or having in possession of wild birds or game at any time, or in any manner by any person, shall be deemed a consent of said person that the title of the State shall be and remain in the State, for the purpose of regulat- ing the use and disposition of the same, and such possession shall be consent to such title in the State.
 Sec. 2. That no person shall within the State of Alabama, catch or Kill or have in his possession. living or dead, any wild bird, other than game bird, or purchase offer or expose Tor sale, trans port or ship within or without the State any such wild bird after it has been killed or caught, except as permitted by this Act No part of the plumage, skin or body of any bird protected by this Act shall be sold or had in possession for sale irrespective whether said bird was captured or killed within or without the State; for the purpose Of this Act the following only shall be considered game birds: The Analidae, commonly known as swans, geese. brant and river, and sea ducks; Rallidae, commonly known as rails. coots, mud hens ahd gallinules; the Iimicolae, commonly known as snofe birds. blowers, surf birds, snipe, wood cock sand-pipers, tatlers and eurlews; the Gallinae commonly known as wild turkeys grouse pheasants and quails, and the species of Columbidae, commonly known as turtle or mourning dove, No person shall within the State of Alabama take or willfully destroy the nests of any wild bird nor shall such nests or eggs be in his or her possession except as permitted by this Act.
 Sec. B. Any person who violates the nroVisions of Section and shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be liable to a fine of not Iess tlan ten nor more than twenty-five dollars for each offense.
 sec 4 Certificates may be granted by the State Game and Fish Commissioner to any properly accredited person per uniting the holder thereof to collect birds. thair nests or eggs for strictly scientific nlr.poses onIv. In order to obtain such certificates the applicant for the same must present to the State Game and Fish Commissioner written testimonials from fwo well known ornithologists one Of whom shall be a resident of this State, certifying to the good character and lit ness of said applicant to be entrusted With such privilege and must pay to the state Game and Fish Commissioner one dollar to defrov the necessary expenses attend ing the granting of such certificates. The certificate authorized by this Act shall exnire tha 31st day of December in the wear of which 1t is issued,
 Sec. 5 That the English and European house sparrow. Coopers Hawk. chicken Hawk. and all members Of the hawk fam iv great horned owl and crows are not included among the birds protected by this Act.
 Sec G. That no person or persons shall infure kill or hurt or destroy by any means. whatever or have or be In pos session except SIS permitted by the pro- visions of this Act the following named game birds except between the following dates: Wild turkey Coolers, December l fo March 1 following, Quail Bob White PartriGge), and dove from November 1 to March following, swans, geese. brant, ducks. rails. coots. mud hens, sand-pipers. wood cock and curlews or other shore birds. November l to March l. snipe and ployer. November 1 to May 1 following. Any person who violates any of the pro- visions of this section shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor and upon con vjctfon thereof shall be punished with fine of not less than ten or more than twenty-five dollars for each offense.
 Sec. [. Any person who takes. captures or kills except under permit any ruined grouse, (PheasanD Mongollan. Chinese or