One of his most successful works was a series of investigations into the "Desirability of establishing a 'Close-time' for the preservation of indigenous animals". These were instigated and published by the British Association between 1872 and 1903, leading towards the present-day legislation concerning the closed seasons for game fish, shell-fish, birds and mammals (Game laws). The basic concept, as is now well known, is to protect animals during their breeding season so as to prevent the stock from being brought close to extinction.