Chap. 561.—An ACT for the protection of game in the county of
Mecklenburg.

Approved March 19, 1854.

1. Beit enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
it shall not be lawful for any person to kil or capture, or
offer for sale, or buy any partridge or quail, or wild turkeys,
in the county of Mecklenburg, between the first day of Jan-
uary, and the fifteenth day “of October of each year; nor
shall it be lawful at any time, to capture them in nets or
traps, or to break up their nests, or to take or destroy their
eggs.

2. It shall not be lawful to kill or capture deer in the said
county, between the first day of January, and the first day
of August of each year.

3. Any persons violating the provisions of this act, shall
be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof, before
any court or justice of the peace, shall be fined twenty dol-
lars, (one-half of which fine shall go to the informer,) and
shall be imprisoned until said fine is paid, not exceeding
twenty days. The possession of any prohibited bird, deer,
or egg, within the prohibited period, shall be prima facie
evidence of the violation of this act.

4. This act shall be given in charge to the grand jury, by
the county judge of Mecklenburg, at every term at which @
regular grand jury shall be em panelled ; and it shall be the
duty of all peace officers in said county, to prosecute, prompt-
ly and vigorously, all violations of this act, and in every case
of willful failure to perform this duty, they shall be fined by
the county judge, twenty dollars.

5. All acts and parts of acts incosistent with the provisions
hereof, are hereby repealed.

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