CHAP. 740.--An ACT to protect wild water-fowl and other game in the counties of Accomac and Northampton.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That it shall not be lawful within the jurisdiction of the counties of Accomac and Northampton for any person to shoot at, kill or capture any wild water-fowl at any time during the night, or to kill or shoot at them with a gun which cannot be conveniently raised and fired at arm's length from the shoulder without a rest; or at any time to capture them in traps or nets, or by other contrivances. If any person violate any of the provisions of this section he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, in either case, be fined one hundred dollars for each offence and imprisoned in jail until the fine be paid, but not exceeding ninety days. All guns, vessels, boats or other appliances, and all traps, nets and other contrivances used in the commission of the offence shall be forfeited to the commonwealth. In any prosecution of any person under this section, the possession of reflectors, traps or other contrivances for the violation of these provisions shall be prima facie evidence of his guilt; and in all cases of conviction one-half of the fine shall be to the informer.

2. It shall not be lawful for any person who is not an actual resident of this state to shoot at, catch or kill any wild fowl in any waters or on any marshes or beaches within the jurisdiction of the said counties of Accomac and Northampton. This section shall not apply to such non-residents as are members of the Eastern Shore game protective association, and subject to the charter and by-laws of said association. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be fined for each offence one hundred dollars, one-half of which shall be to the informer, and confined in jail until said fine is paid, but not to exceed sixty days.

3. It shall not be lawful for any person to shoot or kill rabbits, sometimes known as hares; or partridges, sometimes known as quail, in said counties of Accomac and Northampton, between the first day of January and the fifteenth day of November of each year, or to take or destroy the eggs of partridges or quail at any time, nor to shoot or in any manner kill or destroy, in said counties, the bird known as the marsh hen at any time, or take its eggs later in the season than the tenth of June; or to shoot or in any manner kill or destroy a bird known as the willet before the fifteenth day of August in any season, or to take its eggs at any time ; or to shoot or in any manner kill or destroy the bird known as the gull or striker at any time, or take its eggs later in the season than the fourth day of July; or to kill or capture woodcock between the first day of November and first day of April; or to kill or destroy the turkey buzzard or black buzzard ; to capture for sale or transportation or kill the mocking bird; or to kill or capture the brown thrush, or cardinal or redbird, house martin or starling, or to destroy their nests. If any person violate any of the provisions of this section he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be fined ten dollars for each offence and imprisoned in jail until the fine is paid, but not exceeding ten days. Any person found violating any section of this act may be seized without warrant by any sheriff or constable, or any citizen of the commonwealth, and carried before a justice of the county in which the offence was committed, and be by him disposed of in any case. And, in the prosecution of any person for the violation of any section of this act, the proof of any such wild fowl, game or bird in his possession shall be prima facie evidence of his guilt.

4. In so far as existing acts or parts of acts are in conflict with the provisions of this act they are hereby repealed.

5. This act shall be in force from its passage.