Chap. 331.—An ACT to protect game, «c., in the county of Mecklenburg.

Approved February 14, 1898.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That it shall be
unlawful for any person to kill or capture in any way, or to offer for
sale in Mecklenburg county, any partridge (or quail) from the first day
of February to the fifteenth day of October following, or any deer, ex-
cent, between the first dav af Sentember and the fifteenth dav of Jan-
uary following, or any wild turkeys, except between the fifteenth day o:
October and the first day of February following, or any hares or rabbits,
except between the first day of October and the first day of February
following, and between the first day of June and the last day of July ir
any vear during which months young rabbits or hares may be killed o1
captured; nor shall it be lawful to kill or capture or offer for sale any of
the birds or animals above mentioned, deer excepted, while snow is on
the ground, or to kill any partridges whilst snow is on the ground, or at
any time to kill any mocking birds, brown thrush or cardinal or red
hirds, nor to destroy the eggs of any fowl or birds enumerated in this
act in said county.

2. If any person violates any of the provisions of this act shall be
euilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined for each offence five dollars,
one-half of which shall be paid to the informer, and in any prosecution
for the said offence the possession of any such bird or animal as is men-
tioncd herein shall be prima facie evidence of the guilt of the accused.

This act shall be in force from its passage.