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3.
-2-
The present Ordinance deals with birds only. The former
Ordinance included deer, hares and rabbits. Deer are a
source of damage to crops and to vegetation of various kinde, and constant war is waged on them by the inhabitants of the gew perri-
The effect of their om-
tories, in spite of the former Ordinance.
ission from the present Ordinance is that they may be killed at
any time without any licence. Hares and rabbits are practically
non-existent here.
4.
The Ordinance divides birds into three classes, (1) game, (2)
vermin and (3) birds which are neither game nor vermin. The
terms game and vermin are defined in regulation 1 of the schedule.
Game may be shot with a licence, subject to the provision as to
close season, etc. Vermin may be shot at any time without a
licence. Birds which are neither game nor vermin may not be
shot at any time, except under a special licence from the Governor
given for some scientific or other special purpose.
5.
Sections 3, 4 and 6 of the Ordinance correspond to sections
4 and 5 of the former Ordinance.
6.
Section 5 was evolved from condition 6 of the old form of
licence which appeared in schedule C of the former Ordinance.
Apparently the object of that condition was to prohibit shooting
in the most populous part of the island, but it was not well de-
signed. The boundaries were not clear, and it omitted a large
part of the Peak district and the whole of kowloon.
7.
The subject of the close season is dealt with in section 7
and in regulation 2. The periods have been fixed with careful
reference to local conditions.
The game birde which are not
given a close season do not breed here. Quail are given a close season because the breeding groundsused by partridges would other-
wise be liable to disturbance.
8.