196

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

In force.

SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That this act shall
take effect from the date of its passage.

Approved March 25, 1876.

CHAPTER 128.

AN ACT to protect English mocking birds in
Charles, Calvert, Kent and St. Mary's counties.

Not lawful.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of
Maryland, That it shall not be lawful for any person
or persons in the Counties of Charles, Calvert, Kent
and St. Mary's to shoot, kill or in any manner take,
trap, encage, barter or sell any English mocking
birds, old or young, or wilfully destroy the eggs or
nests of said birds.

Evidence.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That the possession by
any person or persona in the aforesaid counties of
any bird or birds mentioned in this act shall be
prima facie evidence to convict under this act.

Have jurisdic-
tion.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That the justices of the
. peace for the above named counties shall have juris-
diction over and may take cognizance of all cases of
persons violating the provisions of this act, within
their respective counties; and any person or persons

Penalty.

convicted before any justice of the peace of the county
in which the offence is committed of violating the
provisions of this act shall be fined by said justice of
the peace in a sum of not less than five dollars, nor
more than twenty-five dollars for each and every of-
fence, with costs, and on the failure or refusal of such
person or persons to pay said fine or fines, or give
security therefor, the said justice of the peace shall
commit him or them to the county jail for a period

Proviso.

of not less than five nor more than twenty -five days;
and provided the party or parties convicted under
this act before any justice of the peace shall have