115 



More di'tails coiiccniinj; llic lijil)i(s of Uicsr cicaluics arc to b** 

 found ill the disriussioii of each rcsiH'ctlvc species. 



The Suappiiij; Tiiitlc is bv far the most abiindaul aud most sought 

 turtle for food in tliis State, and it is coninion to see them fattening 

 in swill barrels, lieliint; into tine condition for market for hotels 

 and restaurants. 



Notes on Turtles. 



The followinji interesting Notes are written by our valued con- 

 tributor. xMr. K. W. Wehrle. of Indiana, Pa., as the results of his 

 own experience and observations: 



"Tliere are many ways of capturinj; the Snapping Turtle. The 

 sporting way is to catch them with hook and line. Take a heavy 

 line and a good sized hook. Fasten hook on with wire to prevent 

 biting hook otf. Bait with tough beef. If you are fishing in day- 

 time, lift lines once an hour, and if there is one in the fishing hole, 

 he is sure to have the bait swallowed. The bait should always be 

 tainted. They will bite from May until September. 



In the spring they will travel up stream, and in the fall down 

 stream until they find a dee]) hole, and there they will remain until 

 spring in a musk rat hol(\ and if you should be lucky enough to 

 find one in March they are just as fat as in summer. I have six 

 Snappers in my cellar under the store and am keej)ing clase watch 

 on them. They have taken no food since the middle of October, 

 and at this writing, in January, are fast asleep with heads close to 

 the bottom of the barrel, and it is almost impossible to get them 

 to move a foot. As far as I know they have but one enemy, and 

 that is the otter. I saw an otter bring one up through the ice and 

 eat off the head, which seemed to satisfy the animal. 



The Soft-shelled Turtle is hard to cai)ture and very few know how 

 to catch it. The way I do it is to take a good thin line, fasten a 

 small hook on the line with wire, use a cork to keep the bait near 

 the surface of the water, and set it near a deep hole where the 

 water is moving enough to keep the bait moving, and they will 

 take the bait very much like a fish. A worm is the best ]>ait to use." 



Enemies: — The enemies of turtles are much more numerous than 

 one might suppose. Though they appear to be firmly encased and 

 safely protected by their strong, hard sliells. it must be remembered 

 that it is only when they are fairly well grown that they achieve 

 such protection. .\s eggs, they are sought by mankind, by foxes, 

 raccoons, musk rats, doirs. cats. weas«'ls. skunks, etc. and as young 



