Convention Between The United States Of America And The United States Of Mexico For The Protection Of Migratory Birds And Game Mammals
Source: LNTS #4119, vol. 178, p. 310 [Translation by the Government of the United States.]
Whereas, some of the birds denominated migratory, in their movements cross the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and THE UNITED MEXICAN STATES, in which countries they live temporarily ;
Whereas it is right and proper to protect the said migratory birds, whatever may be their origin, in the United States of America and the United Mexican States, in order that the species may not be exterminated
Whereas, for this purpose it is necessary to employ adequate measures which will permit a rational utilization of migratory birds for the purposes of sport as well as for food, commerce and industry ;
The Governments of the two countries have agreed to conclude a Convention which will satisfy the above-mentioned need and to that end have appointed as their respective Plenipotentiaries
The Honorable Josephus DANIELS, representing the President of the United States of America, Franklin D. ROOSEVELT, and
The Honorable Eduardo HAY, representing the President of the United Mexican States, General Lázaro CÁRDENAS,
Who, having exhibited to each other and found satisfactory their respective full powers, conclude the following Convention
Article I.
In order that the species may not be exterminated, the high contracting parties declare that it is right and proper to protect birds denominated as migratory, whatever may be their origin, which in their movements live temporarily in the United States of America and the United Mexican States, by means of adequate methods which will permit, in so far as the respective high contracting parties may see fit, the utilization of said birds rationally for purposes of sport, food, commerce and industry.
Article II
The high contracting parties agree to establish laws, regulations and provisions to satisfy the need set forth in the preceding Article, including :
(A) The establishment of close seasons, which will prohibit in certain periods of the year the taking of migratory birds, their nests or eggs, as well as their transportation or sale, alive or dead, their products or parts, except when proceeding, with appropriate authorization, from private game farms or when used for scientific purposes, for propagation or for museums.
(B) The establishment of refuge zones in which the taking of such birds will be prohibited.
(C) The limitation of their hunting to four months in each year, as a maximum, under permits issued by the respective authorities in each case.
(D)The establishment of a close season for wild ducks from the tenth of March to the first of September.
(E) The prohibition of the killing of migratory insectivorous birds, except when they become injurious to agriculture and constitute plagues, as well as when they come from reserves or game farms: provided, however, that such birds may be captured alive and used in conformity with the laws of each contracting country.
(F) The prohibition of hunting from aircraft.
Article III.
The high contracting parties respectively agree, in addition, not to permit the transportation over the American-Mexican border of migratory birds, dead or alive, their parts or products, without a permit of authorization provided for that purpose by the Government of each country, with the understanding that in the case that the said birds, their parts or products are transported from one country to the other without the stipulated authorization, they will be consider as contraband and treated accordingly.
Article IV.
The high contracting parties declare that for the purposes of the present Convention the following birds shall be considered migratory :
Migratory Game Birds.
Familia Anatidae. [TAB] Familia Scolopacidae.
Familia Gruidae. [TAB] Familia Recurvirostridae.
Familia Rallidae. [TAB] Familia Phalaropodidae.
Familia Charadriidae. [TAB] Familia Columbidae.
Migratory Non-game Birds.
Familia Cuculidae. [TAB] Familia Mimidae.
Familia Caprimulgidae. [TAB] Familia Sylviidae.
Familia Micropodidae. [TAB] Familia Motacillidae.
Familia Trochilidae. [TAB] Familia Bombycillidae.
Familia Picidae. [TAB] Familia Ptilogonatidae.
Familia Tyrannidae. [TAB] Familia Laniidae.
Familia Alaudidae. [TAB] Familia Vireonidae.
Familia Hirundinidae. [TAB] Familia Compsothlypidae.
Familia Paridae. [TAB] Familia Icteridae.
Familia Certhiidae. [TAB] Familia Thrauppidae.
Familia Troglodytidae. [TAB] Familia Fringillidae. Familia Turdidae.
Others which the Presidents of the United States of America and the United Mexican States may determine by common agreement.
Article V.
The high contracting parties agree to apply the stipulations set forth in Article III with respect to the game mammals which live in their respective countries.
Article VI.
This Convention shall be ratified by the high contracting parties in accordance with their constitutional methods and shall remain in force for fifteen years and shall be understood to be extended from year to year if the high contracting parties have not indicated twelve months in advance their intention to terminate it.
The respective plenipotentiaries sign the present Convention in duplicate in English and Spanish, affixing thereto their respective seals, in the City of Mexico, the seventh day of February of 1936.
(Seal) Josephus DANIELS
