invariable custom. But no person whosoever,
whether a stranger or an inhabitant of
the country, shall be permitted to shoot
eider-fowls, or destroy them with dogs or
nets, under the penalty of three marks for
every bird; and also every one that has been
present at the time, and has not immediately
reported the offence, shall forfeit half that
sum: of which penalty the informer shall
receive two-thirds, and the poor of the parish
the other one-third, after deducting the ex-
pences attending examining into the same,
unless it be done on such person’s own
ground, and in such a manner that the
neighbors cannot thereby suffer any loss or
damage. But, on the contrary, should this
be done on another ground-owner’s land,
who may have adopted any peculiar method
for the preservation of the eider-ducks, either
by making islets in the fresh-water lakes, or
by building of nests for the reception of
such birds, or any other thing of the like
nature, he shall pay the damage according
to law: and, whoever shall be found guilty
of having malevolently destroyed or injured
such receptacles, shall be punished by a criminal
fine. Neither shall the eggs be taken
out of the eyry ; and, in such places, where
there are several joint owners (unless with
the mutual consent of all concerned, and
upon certain days for such purpose appointed,
and this not to be done at any time later than
to the end of the week preceding the week
of St. John, at Midsummer), should it
be observed that the eider-duck begins to
retire to some islet, or other place, which is
not the particular property of any individual,
there to deposit its eggs, it shall at first be
permitted to keep its eggs, both for the purpose
of decoying it there and suffering it to
increase, until its increase shall have become
so visible that the eggs may be taken without
detriment to the brood, and in case any
of the neighbors or other persons act contrary
hereunto, he shall pay one rix-dollar
as a fine, of which the informer shall receive
two-thirds, and the poor of the parish the
other one-third, after a deduction of the law
charges; whereas, on the contrary, those
who strictly follow such precautions shall be
entitled to the rewards stated in our resolution,
bearing date the twenty-second of
June, 1785.